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OF  CALIFORNIA 

DAVIS 


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A    REVISED    CATALOGUE 


OF    THE 


BIEDS   OF   KANSAS 


WITH  DESCRIPTIVE  NOTES  OF  THE  NESTS  AND  EGGS  OF  THE 
BIRDS  KNOWN  TO  BREED  IN  THE  STATE. 


BY    N.    S.    GOSS. 


PUBLISHED  UNDER  THE  DIRECTION  OF  TUP:  EXECUTIVE  CouNcn. 
MAY,  1886. 


TOPEKA: 

KANSAS    PUBLISHING    HOUSE:     T.  D.  THACHEK.    STATE    PBINTEK. 
1886. 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
DAVIS 


PREFACE. 


SINCE  the  publication  of  my  Catalogue  of  the  Birds  of  Kansas,  in 
1883,  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union  have  prepared  and  published  a 
revision  of  the  nomenclature  and  classification  of  North  American  birds, 
the  present  accepted,  authoritative  and  standard  work.  A  new  edition 
has  therefore  become  necessary.  In  the  mean  time,  our  knowledge  of 
the  birds  has  increased,  and  we  have  become  better  acquainted  with  the 
bird-life  of  Kansas,  especially  in  the  unsettled  western  portion  of  the 
State  —  a  field  yet  comparatively  new  to  us. 

In  addition  to  the  description  of  the  nests  and  eggs  of  the  birds,  I 
have  given  their  times  of  arrival,  and  the  earliest  nests  with  eggs  no- 
ticed. The  breeding  season,  however,  does  not  really  commence  until  a 
little  later;  and  as  the  State  is  four  hundred  miles  east  and  west,  and 
rises  from  an  elevation  of  about  seven  hundred  and  fifty  feet  to  one  of 
about  four  thousand  feet,  the  times  of  their  arrival  must  necessarily 
cover  a  greater  period  than  would  be  given  to  a  single  locality. 

The  Catalogue  of  1883  embraces  320  species  and  races;  of  these,  161 
were  known  to  breed  in  the  State.  The  list,  as  revised,  embraces  335 
species  and  races;  of  these,  175  are  known  to  breed  in  the  State.  A  few 
species  and  races  not  appearing  in  the  work  have  been  found  both  north 
and  south  of  our  limits,  and  in  migration  doubtless  pass  through  the 
State;  and  it  is  a  surprise  tome  that  the  apparently  common  birds  should 
have  so  far  escaped  our  notice.  The  geographical  central  position  of  the 
State  makes  it  a  favorable  location  to  catch  stragglers  and  visitants  from 
the  adjacent  avifaunal  provinces,  and  I  feel  confident  that  the  list  will 
ultimately  reach  at  least  350. 

In  this  Catalogue,  as  in  the  former,  I  have  included  only  the  birds 
that  have  come  under  my  own  observation,  and  knowledge  gathered  from 
reliable  sources.  The  latter,  when  new  to  me,  have  been  duly  accredited 


IV  PREFACE. 

in  the  list.  The  descriptions  of  the  nests  and  eggs  are  from  notes  of  my 
own  observations,  both  in  the  field  and  upon  the  magnificent  collection  of 
eggs  made  by  my  brother,  Capt.  B.  F.  Goss,  and  now  on  display  in  the 
Milwaukee  Public  Museum,  Wisconsin. 

The  work  has  been  prepared  with  a  view  to  being  of  value  to  the 
student  interested  in  the  bird-life  of  our  State;  and  should  it  meet  the 
approval  of  the  Executive  Council,  and  of  the  reader,  I  shall  indeed 
feel  well  repaid  for  my  labor. 

TOPEKA,  KANSAS,  May  1,  1886. 


EXPLANATIONS. 


1.  The  five  letters,  B.,  R.,  C.,  G.  and  U.,  each  followed  by  a  number,  stand  respect- 
ively for  Prof.  Spencer  F.  Baird's  Catalogue  of  1858;  Prof.  Robert  Ridgway's  Cata- 
logue of  1881;  Dr.  Elliott  Coues's  Check  List  of  1882;  my  Catalogue  of  1883;  and 
The  American  Ornithologists'  Union  Check  List  of  1886.     The  latter  has  been  fol- 
lowed in  this  list.      The  dash  after  any  of  these  letters  shows  that  the  bird  is  not 
contained  in  that  list. 

2.  The  names  on   the  list,  whether  of   species  or  subspecies,  are  consecutively 
numbered  from  first  to  last.     The  species  are  distinguished  by  consisting  of  two 
terms,  the  subspecies  of  three  terms,  viz.: 

332.  Merula  migratoria.     American  Robin. 

333.  Merula  migratoria  propinqua.     Western  Robin. 

3.  The  dimensions  of  the  eggs,  as  given,  represent  their  average  length  and  diam- 
eter in  inches  and  hundredths  of  an  inch. 


NOTE. —  May  8th,  While  this  work  was  passing  through  the  press,  a  female  Florida 
Gallinule  was  caught  near  Topeka,  and  brought  to  me  alive.     See  No.  67. 


BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


ORDER  PYGOPODES.   DIVING  BIRDS. 

SUBORDER  PODICIPEDES.     GREBES. 
FAMILY  PODICIPID^!.     GREBES. 

GENUS   COLYMBUS   LINN^US. 
SUBGENUS  BYTES  KAUP. 

B.  706.     R.  732.     C.  848.     G.  317.     U.  3. 

1.  Oolymbus   auritus   LINN.     Horned   Grebe.     Migratory ;    rare.     Arrive    the 
middle  to  last  of  April. 

B.  707.     R.  733.     C.  850.     G.  318.     U.  4. 

2.  Colymbus  nigricollis  californicus    (HEEBM.).      American    Eared   Grebe. 
Migratory;  rare  in   eastern,  common  and  may  occasionally  breed   in  western 
Kansas.     Arrive  the  last  of   April  to    middle  of  May. 

GENUS  PODILYMBUS   LESSON. 

B.  709.      R.  735.      C.  852.      G.  319.      U.  6. 

3.  Podilymbus  podiceps   (LINN.).    Pied-billed  Grebe.    Summer  resident;  rare; 
in  migration  abundant.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Mr.  A.  L. 
Bennett  and  Mr.  V.  L.  Kellogg,  of  Emporia,  both  report  finding,  May  26th,  1885, 
in  a  pond  or  slough  near  the  city,  quite  a  number  of  the  nests  of  the  birds,  con- 
taining from  five  to  ten  eggs  each.     Nest  in  thick  weeds  or  rushes  in  water  from 
two  to  three  feet  deep;  composed  of  old  decaying  weeds  or  rushes,  brought  up 
from  the  bottom  and  piled  upon  each  other  in  and  around  the  standing  stalks, 
until    the    fabric    reaches  the  top  and  floats  upon    the  water,   quite    a    bulky 
structure.     Upon  this  a  small  nest  is  built  of  debris  and  bits  of  slimy  moss. 
Eggs,  1.69x1.17;    bluish  white  at  first,  but  soon  become  stained  in    their  wet 
beds  ;  in  form  elliptical. 


BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


SUBORDER  CEPPHI.     LOONS  AND  AUKS. 
FAMILY  URINATOBIDJE.    LOONS. 

GENUS   URINATOR   CUVIEB. 

B.  698.     R.  736.     C.  840.     G.  320.     U.  7. 
4.  Urinator  imber  (GUNN.).     Loon.     Migratory;  rare.     Arrive  in  April. 


ORDER  LONGIPENNES.    LONG-WINGED 

SWIMMERS. 

FAMILY  LARID-3S.     GULLS  AND  TERNS. 

SUBFAMILY    LARIN^E.     GULLS. 
GENUS   LARUS  LINN^US. 

B.  661.     R.  666a.     C.  773.     G.  307.     U.  51a, 

5.  Larus  argentatus  smithsonianus  COUES.    American  Herring  Gull.    Migra- 
tory; rare.     Arrive  in  March. 

B.  663.     R.  668.     C.  777.     G.  308.     U.  53. 

6.  Larus  californicus  LAWB.     California  Gull.     A  rare  visitant.     One  specimen 
taken  by  me  on  the  Arkansas  river,  in  Reno  county,  October  20th,  1880. 

B.  664.     R.  669.     C.  778.     G.  309.     U.  54. 

7.  Larus    delawarensis   OBD.     Ring-billed   Gull.      Migratory;   quite  common. 
Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

B.  668,  669.     R.  674.     C.  787.     G.  310.     U.  59. 

8.  Larus  franklinii   Sw.  &  RICH.     Franklin's  Gull.     Migratory;  common.     My 
notes  show  their  capture  from  the  last  of  March  to  first  of  May. 

B.  670.     R.  675.     C.  788.     G.  311.     U.  60. 

9.  Larus  Philadelphia  (OBD.).  Bonaparte's  Gull.    Migratory;  rare.   Arrive  about 
the  middle  of  April. 

GENUS   XEMA   LEACH. 

B.  680.     R.  677.     C.  790.     G.  312.     U.  62. 

1O.  Xema  sabinii  (SAB.).     Sabine's  Gull.     A  rare  accidental  visitant.     One  speci- 
men taken  by  Mr.  Peter  Long,  at  Humboldt,  September  21st,  1876. 


OEDEE  STEGANOPODES. 


SUBFAMILY    STERN  IN /E.     TEBNS. 

GENUS   STERNA   LINN^US. 

SUBGENUS  STERNA. 

B.  686,  691.     R.  685.     C.  798.     G.  313.     U.  69. 

11.  Sterna  forsteri  NUTT.     Forster's  Tern.     Migratory;  not  uncommon.     Arrive 
from  the  middle  of  April  to  first  of  May.     May  occasionally  breed  in  the  State. 

B.  689.     R.  686.     C.  797.     G.  314.     U.  70. 

12.  Sterna  hirundo  LINN.     Common  Tern.     Migratory;  very  rare.     Arrive  from 
the  middle  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

SUBGENUS  STEBNULA  BOIE. 
B.  694.     R.  690.     C.  801.     G.  315.     U.  74. 

13.  Sterna  antillarum  (LESS.).     Least  Tern.     Summer  resident;  rare;  not  com- 
mon in  migration.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  about 
the  middle  of  May.     Nest  in  a  depression  or  place  worked  out  to  fit  the  body  in 
the  sand  on  the  islands  and  banks  of  the  streams.     Eggs,  two  to  four  —  rarely 
ever  more  than  three — 1.15x.90;  buff  to  cream  white,  specked  and  spotted,  in 
some  cases  blotched  about  the  large  end  with  brown,  umber,  and  lilac;  in  form, 
rather  oval  to  pyriform. 

GENUS   HYDBOOHELIDON  BOIE. 

B.  695.     R.  693.     C.  806.     G.  316.     U.  77. 

14.  Hydrochelidon  nigra  surinamensis  (GMEL.).     Black  Tern.     Summer  res- 
ident; rare;  in  migration  quite  common.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 
Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest  on  low,  wet,  marshy  ground,  bordering  ponds 
and  sloughs;  made  of  bits  of  stems  of  reeds  and  grasses,  and  lined  with  the 
leaves  and  finer  stems.     In  some  cases  the  eggs  are  laid  upon  the  bare  ground. 
Eggs,  usually  three  —  occasionally  four — 1.30  x  .96,  greenish  drab  to  olive  brown* 
spotted  and  blotched  with  brownish  black,  often  thickest  and  running  together 
around  large  end ;  in  form  rather  oval  to  pyriform. 


ORDER  STEGANOPODES.    TOTIPALMATE 

SWIMMERS. 

FAMILY  ANHINGID-ZE.     DARTERS. 

GENUS   ANHINGrA   BEISSON. 

B.  628.     R.  649.     C.  760.     G.  306.     U.  118. 

15.  Anhinga  anhinga  (LINN.).  Anhinga.  A  rare  summer  visitant.  In  August, 
1881,  a  specimen  was  captured  in  the  Solomon  Valley  by  C.  W.  Smith,  Esq.,  of 
Stockton;  and  identified  by  Prof.  F.  H.  Snow,  who  has  the  skin  of  the  bird  in 
his  cabinet. 


BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


FAMILY   PHALACROCORACLEXai!.     CORMORANTS. 

GENUS  PHALACROCORAX  BEISSON. 
SUBGENUS  PHALACROCORAX. 

B.  623.     R.  643.     C.  751.     G.  304.     U.  120. 

16.  Phalacrocorax  dilophlis  (Sw.  &RICH.).    Double-crested  Cormorant.    Migra- 
tory; not  uncommon.     Arrive  the  last  of  March  to  first  of  April.     To  be  looked 
for  in  the  old  deep  channels  of  the  rivers  in  the  low-timbered  lands. 

B.  625.     R.  644.     C.  754.     G.  305.     U.  121. 

17.  Phalacrocorax  mexicanus    (BBANDT).    Mexican  Cormorant.     Prof.  Snow 
in  his  catalogue  of  the  birds  of  Kansas,  says:  "Migratory;  rare;  a  single  speci- 
men taken  four  miles  south  of  Lawrence  April  2, 1872,  by  George  D.  Allen." 

FAMILY  PELECANID^l.     PELICANS. 

GENUS   PELECANUS   LINN^US. 
SUBGENUS  CYRTOPELICANUS  REICHENBACH. 

B.  615.     R.  640.     C.  748.     G.  303.     U.  125. 

18.  Pelecanus  erythrorhynchos    GMEL.  American  White  Pelican.     Migratory; 
quite  common.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

FAMILY   FREGATID.S1.     MAN-O'-WAR  BIRDS. 

GENUS   FREG-ATA   CUVIEB. 

B.  619.     R.  639.     C.  761.     G  — .     U.  128. 

19.  Fregata  aquila    (LINN.).     Man-o'-War  Bird.     A  straggler.     Mr.  Frank  Lewis, 
of  Downs,  Kansas,  reports  to  me  the  capture  of  the  bird  on  the  north  fork  of 
the  Solomon  river,  in  Osborne  county,  August  16th,  1880.     It  was  killed  with  a 
stone,  while  sitting  on  a  tree.     The  specimen  has  passed  out  of  his  hands;  but 
he  sends  me  a  photograph  of  the  bird,  taken  after  it  was  mounted,  which  removes 
all  previous  doubts  as  to  its  identification.     The  birds  are  strictly  maritime,  and 
largely  parasitical  in  habits.     Their  home  is  on  the  coast  of  tropical  and  sub- 
tropical America.     They  are  known  to  be  great  wanderers  along  the  sea-board; 
but  this  is,  I  think,  the  first  record  of  its  being  found  away  from  the  coast-range, 
and  to  straggle  so  far  inland  it  must  surely  have  been  crazed  or  bewildered. 


ORDER  ANSERES. 


ORDER  ANSERES.    LAMELLIROSTRAL 
SWIMMERS. 

FAMILY   ANATID.ZE.     DUCKS,  GEESE,  AND  SWANS. 

SUBFAMILY    MERGIN>E.     MEBGANSEBS. 
GENUS   MERGANSER  BBISSON. 

B.  611.     R.  636.     C.  743.     G.  300.     U.  129. 

20.  Merganser  americanus  (CASS.).    American  Merganser.    Winter  so journer; 
quite  common.     Leave  the  last  of  February  to  middle  of  March. 

B.  612.     R,  637.     C.  744.     G.  301.     U.  130. 

21.  Merganser  serrato  (LINN.).    Red-breasted  Merganser.    Winter  visitant;  rare. 

GENUS   LOPHODYTES   REICHENBACH. 

B.  613.     R.  638.     C.  745.     G.  302.     U.  131. 

22.  Lophodytes  cucullatus  (LINN.).     Hooded  Merganser.     Resident;  rare;  com- 
mon in  winter.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  April.     Nest  in  shallow  holes  and  trough- 
like  cavities  in  trees  near  the  streams,  said  to  be  lined  with  grass,  leaves  and 
down.     Eggs,  six  to  ten;  2.10x1.72;  pure  ivory  white,  with  a  few  neutral  tints;  in 
form  rounded  oval. 

SUBFAMILY    ANATINv^E.    RIVER   DUCKS. 
GENUS   ANAS   LINNAEUS. 

B.  576.     R.  601.     C.  707.     G.  282.     U.  132. 

23.  Anas  boschas  LINN.     Mallard.      Resident;    rare;    in    migration    abundant. 
Begin  laying  the  first  of  May.     Nest  on  the  ground  in  the  grass,  at  the  edge  of 
ponds  or  sloughs,  constructed  of  grass,  weeds  and  leaves  loosely  scraped  or 
placed  together,  and  lined  with  feathers  and  down.     Eggs,  six  to  ten;  2.30x1.60; 
dull  greenish  white,  in  form  elliptical. 

B.  577.     R.  602.     C.  708.     G.  283.     U.  133. 

24.  Anas  Obscura  GMEL.     Black  Duck.     Entered  in  first  catalogue  as    "migra- 
tory; rare;"  but  since,  on  comparing  the  specimens  captured  in  the  State  that  I 
have  seen  with  Eastern  ones,  they  prove  to  be  the  "Florida  Duck.''     Other  writers 
claim  that  the  birds  have  been  taken  in  the  State,  also  in  Texas,  and  west  to 
Utah,  and  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  further  investigation  will  prove  it  to  be 
the  case.     With  this  explanation  I  let  the  bird  stand  as  first  entered. 


BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


B.  — .     II.  603.     C.  709.     G.  — .     U.  134. 

25.  Anas  fulvigula  RIDGW.     Florida  Duck.     Migratory;  rare.     Arrive  about  the 
middle  of  March.     I  captured  a  female  at  Neosho  Falls  March  11, 1876,  and  have 
since  shot  one,  and  observed  two  others  in  the  State.     The  birds  were  entered  in 
first  catalogue  as  A.  Obscura. 

SUBGENUS  CHAULELASMUS  BONAPARTE. 

B.  584.     R.  604.     C.  711.     G.  284.     U,  135. 

26.  Anas  strepera  LINN.     Gadwell.     Summer  resident;  rare;  in  migration  com- 
mon.    Arrive  the  middle  of  March  to  first  of  April.     Begin  laying  the  last  of 
May.     Nesting  habits  the  same  as  the  Mallard.     Eggs,  a  little  smaller  and  paler. 

SUBGENUS  MARECA  STEPHENS. 

B.  585.     R.  607.     C.  713.     G.  286.     U.  137. 

27.  Anas  americana  GMEL.     Baldpate.     Summer  resident;  very  rare;  in  migra- 
tion common.     Arrive  about  the  middle  of  March.     I  have  never  been  so  fortu- 
nate as  to  find  their  nest,  or  see  their  eggs.     They  are  said  to  build  under  a  bush, 
or  bunch  of  grass,  on  high  ground,  often  quite  a  distance  from  the  water  —  a  de- 
pression in  the  ground,  lined  with  leaves  and  down.     Eggs,  eight  to  twelve;  aver- 
age dimensions,  2.10x1.50;  creamy  white.     In  form  elliptical. 

SUBGENUS  NETTION  KAUP. 

B.  579.     R.  612.     C.  715.     G.  290.     U.  139. 

28.  Anas  carolinensis  GMELIN.     Green-winged  Teal.     Winter   sojourner;   rare; 
in  migration  abundant.     Leave  in  April. 

SUBGENUS  QUERQUEDULA  STEPHENS. 

B.  581.     R.  609.     C.  716.     G.  288.     U.  140. 

29.  Anas  discors  LINN.     Blue-winged  Teal.     Summer  resident;   rare;  in  migra- 
tion abundant.     Arrive  the  last  of  March  to  middle  of  April.     Begin  laying  the 
last  of  May.     Nest  on  the  ground  in  coarse  grass,  reeds  or  rushes  bordering  the 
prairie  sloughs;  composed  of  the  same  material,  and  lined  with  down.     Eggs, 
eight  to  twelve;  1.86x1.32;  in  form  elliptical  to  oval. 

B.  582.     R.  610.     C.  717.     G.  289.     U.  141. 

30.  Anas  cyanoptera  VIEILL,.     Cinnamon  Teal.     Migratory;  very  rare  in  east- 
ern, but  not  uncommon  in  middle  and  western  Kansas.     Arrive  the  middle  to  last 
of  April.     June  3d,  1885,  I  found  a  pair  on  a  pond  in  Meade  county.     From 
their  actions  was  led  to  think  they  had  a  nest  near  by;  failing  to  find  it,  I  shot 
the  female,  and  on  dissection  found  several  well-developed  eggs  in  the  ovary.     I 
cannot,  upon  this,  safely  enter  the  bird  as  a  summer  resident,  but  I  am  strong  in 
the  belief  that  they  do  occasionally  breed  in  the  western  part  of  the  State. 

GENUS    SPATULA  BOIE. 

B.  583.     R.  608.     C.  718.     G.  287.     U.  142. 

31.  Spatula  clypeata  (LINN.).    Shoveller.     Summer  resident;  rare;  in  migration 
common.    Arrive  the  middle  of  March  to  first  of  April.     Begin  laying  the  last 
of  May.   Nest  near  the  water,  on  the  ground  in  a  depression  or  place  worked  out 
to  fit  the  body,  made  of  grass  and  lined  with  down.     Eggs,  six  to  ten;  2.12x1.50; 
greenish  white  to  pale  drab;  in  form  elliptical. 


ORDER  AN  SERE  8. 


GENUS   DAFILA   STEPHENS. 

B.  578.     R.  605.     C.  710.     G.  285.     U.  143. 

32.  Daflla  acuta  (LINN.).    Pintail.     Migratory;  common.    Arrive  the  last  of  Feb- 
ruary to  first  of  March. 

GENUS  AIX   BOIE. 

B.  587.     R.  613.     C.  719.     G.  291.     U.  144. 

33.  Aix  sponsa    (LINN.).    Wood  Duck.     Summer  resident;  common.     Arrive  the 
last  of  March  to  first  of  April.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  April.     Nest  in  holes  in 
trees  on  or  near  the  banks  of  streams,  usually  in  a  trough-like  cavity  of  a  large 
broken  limb,  lined  sparingly  with  grass,  weeds  or  leaves,  and  a  few  feathers  with 
down.     Eggs,  six  to  fifteen;  2.00x1.50;  cream  to  buff  white,  smoothly  polished;  in 
form,  elliptical  to  oval. 

GENUS   AYTHYA  BOIE. 

B.  591.     R.  618.     C.  723.     G.  296.     U.  146. 

34.  Aythya  americana  (EYT.).    Redhead.    Migratory;  common.   Arrive  the  first 
of  March  to  middle  of  April. 

B.  592.     R.  617.     C.  724.     G.  295.     U.  147. 

35.  Aythya  vallisneria  (WILS.).    Canvas-back.     Migratory;  irregular;  not  un- 
common.    Arrive  early  in  March.     My  notes  show  the  capture  of  one  February 
22d. 

SUBGENUS  PULIGULA  STEPHENS. 

B.  588.     R.  614.     C.  720.     G.  292.     U.  148. 

36.  Aythya  marila  nearctica   STEJN.     American  Scaup  Duck.      Migratory; 
rare.     Arrive  in  March  to  first  of  April. 

B.  589.     R.  615.     C.  721.     G.  293.     U.  149. 

37.  Aythya  afflnis    (EYT.).     Lesser   Scaup   Duck.     Migratory;    quite  common. 
Arrive  early  in  March  to  first  of  April. 

B.  590.     R.  616.     C.  722.     G.  294.     U.  150. 

38.  Aythya  collaris  (DONOV.).    Ring-necked  Duck.      Migratory;  common.     Ar- 
rive very  early.     My  notes  show  their  capture  from  February  9th  to  May  24th. 

GENUS   G-LAUCIONETTA   STEJNEGEE. 

B.  593.     R.  620.     C.  725.     G.  297.     U.  151. 

39.  Grlaucionetta    clangula    americana    (BONAP.).      American     Golden-eye. 
Mirgratory;  rare.     Begin  to  arrive  about  the  middle  of  March;  have  seen  them 
as  late  as  the  last  of  April. 

GENUS   CHABITONETTA   STEJNEGEB. 

B.  595.     R.  621.     C.  727.     G.  298.     U.  153. 

40.  Charitonetta  albeola  (LINN.).    Buffle-head.    Migratory;  irregular;  at  times 
quite  common.     Arrive  the  last  of  February  to  first  of  April. 


BIEDS  OF  KANSAS. 


GENUS   ERISMATURA   BONAPABTE. 

B.  609.     E.  634.     C.  741.     G.  299.     U.  167. 

41.  Erismatura    rubida    (WILS.).     Ruddy   Duck.     Migratory;    quite  common. 
Arrive  the  last  of  March  to  last  of  April. 

SUBFAMILY    ANSERIN/E.     GEESE. 
GENUS   CHEN   BOIE. 

B.  564.     R.  590.     C.  694.     G.  276.     U.  — . 

[  Chen  cserulescens  (  LINN.).  Blue  Goose.  This  bird  has  been  dropped  from  the 
body  of  the  A.  O.  U.  list,  and  included  in  the  hypothetical  list,  on  account  of 
the  possibility,  if  not  probability,  that  it  is  a  colored  phase  of  Chen  hyperborea. 
The  plumage  of  the  specimens  that  have  come  under  my  observation  in  both  the 
adult  and  young  stages,  is  certainly  very  distinct  from  C.  hyperborea,  and  in  my 
opinion  the  bird  will  eventually  be  declared  a  valid  species,  and  restored  to  the 
list.] 

B.  — .     R.  591a.     C.  696.     G.  277.     U.  169. 

42.  Chen  hyperborea  (PALL.).     Lesser  Snow  Goose.     Abundant  in  migration. 
A  few  occasionally  linger  into  winter.     Arrive  early  in  March. 

GENUS   ANSER   BRISSON. 

B.  565,  566.     R.  593a.     C.  693.     G.  278.     U.  171a, 

43.  Anser  albifrons  ganibeli  (HAETL.).    American  White-fronted  Goose.     Mi- 
gratory; common.     Arrive  in  March. 

GENUS  BRANTA   SCOPOLI. 

B.  567.     R.  594.     C.  702.     G.  279.     U.  172. 

44.  Brant  a   canadensis    (LINN.).     Canada   Goose.     Common  migrants.     A  few 
remain  during  the  winter,  retiring  only  when  the  extreme  cold  weather  closes 
their  watery  resorts.     Leave  in  March. 

B.  569.     R.  594a.     C.  704.     G.  280.     U.  172a. 

45.  Brant  a  canadensis  hutchinsii  (Sw.  &  RICH.).    Hutchins'  Goose.    Migra- 
tory; abundant.     A  few  linger  into  winter.     Leave  in  March. 

B.  570.     R.  595.     C.  700.     G.  281.     U.  173. 

46.  Branta  bernicla  (LINN.).     Brant.     Rare;  accidental  migrants. 

SUBFAMILY    CYGNIN>^L.     SWANS. 
GENUS   OLOR  WAGLEE. 

B.  561a.     R.  588.     C.  689.     G.  274.     U.  180. 

47.  Olor  columbianus  (OED.).    Whistling  Swan.    Migratory;  rare.    Arrive  about 
the  middle  of  March. 

B.  562.     R.  589.     C.  688.     G.  275.     U.  181. 

48.  Olor  buccinator  (RiCH.).     Trumpeter  Swan.     Migratory;  rare.    Arrive  about 
the  middle  of  March. 


OIWEE  HERODIONES. 


ORDER  HERODIONES.    HERONS,  STORKS, 

IBISES,  ETC. 

SUBORDER  LBIDES.     SPOONBILLS  AND  IBISES. 

FAMILY   IBIDID-32.     IBISES. 
GENUS  PLEGrADIS   KAUP. 

B.  500a.     R.  504.     C.  650.     G.  234.     U.  187. 

49.  Plegadis  guarauna  (LINN.).    White-faced  Glossy  Ibis.    A  rare  visitant.    Shot 
at  a  lake  near  Lawrence  by  W.  L.  Bullene,  in  the  fall  of  1879,  and  reported  to  me 
by  Prof.  F.  H.  Snow,  who  has  the  specimen  in  the  State  University. 

SUBORDER  CICONLE.     STORKS,  ETC. 
FAMILY   CICONIID-ffi.     STORKS  AND  WOOD  IBISES. 

SUBFAMILY   TANTALIN>£.     WOOD  IBISES. 
GENUS   TANTALUS  LINN^US. 

B.  497.     R.  500.     C.  648.     G.  233.     U.  188. 

50.  Tantalus  loculator  LINN.    Wood  Ibis.    Irregular  summer  visitant;  rare.    Dr. 
George  Lisle  wrote  me  in  the  spring  of  1883  that  he  had  noticed  the  birds  a  few 
times  on  the  flats  east  of  Chetopa,  and  that  Albert  Garrett  killed  a  very  fine 
specimen  there  about  six  years  ago;  and  Dr.  Lewis  Watson,  of  Ellis,  informs 
me  that  one  put  in  an  appearance  March  26th,  1885,  and  stayed  about  his  premises 
on  the  creek  for  several  days.     An  accidental  straggler;  a  rare  find  so  far  north, 
and  so  early. 

SUBORDER  HERODII.     HERONS,  EGRETS,  BITTERNS,  ETC. 
FAMILY   ARDEID^E.     HERONS,   BITTERNS,   ETC. 

SUBFAMILY    BOTAURIN>£.     BITTEBNS. 
GENUS   BOTATJRUS   HERMANN. 

SUBGENUS  BOTAURUS. 

B.  492.     R.  497.     C.  666.     G.  231.     U.  190. 

51.  Botaurus  lentiglnosus   (MONTAG.).     American  Bittern.     Summer  resident; 
common.     Arrive  the  last  of  April   to  first  of   May.     Begin   laying  about  the 


10  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


20th  of  May.  Nest  on  the  ground  in  low  marshy  places,  built  upon  hummocks 
in  the  thickly-growing  water  grasses,  or  upon  the  tops  of  old  broken-down  rushes, 
quite  bulky,  composed  of  small  sticks,  weeds  and  grasses,  or  of  rushes  bitten  off 
about  fifteen  inches  in  length  and  loosely  woven  together.  Eggs,  said  to  be 
three  to  six,  (I  have  never  found  over  four  in  a  nest);  2.00x1.48;  brownish  drab, 
one  set  olive  drab;  in  form  oval  to  elliptical. 

SUBGENUS  ARDETTA  GRAY. 

B.  491.     R,  498.     C.  667.     G.  232.     U.  191. 

52.  Botaurus  exilis  (GMEL.).     Least  Bittern.     Summer  resident;  rare;  in  migra- 
tion common.     Arrive  about  the  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  May. 
Nest  in  rushes  and  a  coarse,  tall  cane  like  water  grass  — a  platform  about  eigh- 
teen inches  from  the  ground,  or  water,  made  of  the  stems  and  leaves  woven  in 
and  around  the  standing  growing  stalks.     Eggs,  usually  four;  1.25x.98;  with  a 
faint  greenish-blue  tinge;  in  form  rounded  oval. 

SUBFAMILY   ARDEINv^E.     HEEONS  AND  EGRETS. 

GENUS   ARDEA  LINN. 

SUBGENUS  ARDEA. 

B.  487.     R.  487.     C.  655.     G.  224.     U.  194. 

53.  Ardea  herodias  LINN.    Great  Blue  Heron.  Summer  resident;  rare;  in  migra- 
tion common.     Arrive  early  in  March.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  March.     Nest  in 
high  trees,  along  the  streams;  in  localities  destitute  of  trees,  upon  bushes  and 
upon  the  ground.     A  flat,  bulky  structure  of  sticks,  lined  sparingly  with  grasses. 
Eggs,  2.63x1.82;  pale,  greenish  blue;  rather  elliptical  in  form. 

SUBGENUS  HERODIAS  BOIE. 

B.  486,  486a.     R.  489.     C.  658.     G.  225.     U.  196. 

54.  Ardea  egretta  GMEL.     American  Egret.     Summer  visitant;  not  uncommon. 
Arrive  from  the  south  in  July  and  August,  return  in  September. 

SUBGENUS  GARZETTA  KAUP. 

B.  485.     R.  490.     C.  659.     G.  226.     U.  197. 

55.  Ardea  candidissima  GMEL.     Snowy  Heron.     Summer  visitant;  not  uncom- 
mon.    Arrive  from  the  south  in  July  and  August,  return  in  September. 

SUBGENUS  FLORIDA  BAIRD. 

B.  490.     R.  493.     C.  662.     G.  227.     U.  200. 

56.  Ardea  ccerulea  LINN.     Little  Blue  Heron.     Summer  visitant;  rare.     Arrive 
from  the  south  in  July  and  August,  return  in  September. 

SUBGENUS  BUTORIDES  BLYTH. 

B.  493.     R.  494.     C.  663.     G.  228.     U.  201. 

57.  Ardea  virescens  LINN.    Green  Heron.    Summer  resident;  abundant.    Arrive 
about  the  middle  of  April.     Begin  laying  about  the  first  of  May.     Nest  placed 


OEDEE  PALUDICOL^E.  11 

on  the  branches  of  trees  or  upon  bushes  along  the  streams,  made  loosely  of  sticks 
and  lined  with  twigs.  Eggs,  four  or  five;  1.55x1.15;  light  greenish  blue;  in  form 
elliptical  to  oval. 

GENUS   NYCTICORAX  STEPHENS. 

SUBGENUS  NYCTICORAX. 

B.  495.     R.  495.     C.  664.     G.  229.     U.  202. 

58.  Nycticorax   nycticorax   neevius   (BODD.).     Black-crowned  Night  Heron. 
Summer  resident;  rare.     Arrive  about  the  middle  of  April.     Begin  laying  about 
the  middle  of  May.    Nest  on  the  branches  of  trees,  or,  in  places  destitute  of  trees, 
upon  bushes  and  on  the  ground  in  thick  growths  of  weeds  and  small  bushes. 
Composed  of  .sticks  loosely  woven  together;  when  built  upon  the  ground,  of 
sticks,  weeds,  and  grasses.     Eggs,  three  to  five;  2.00x1.50;  pale  greenish  blue; 
in  form  elliptical  to  oval. 

SUBGENUS  NYCTHEBODIUS  REICHENBACH. 

B.  496.     R.  496.     C.  665.     G.  230.     U.  203. 

59.  Nycticorax    violaceus    (LINN.).     Yellow-crowned  Night  Heron.     Summer 
resident;  rare.     Arrive  about  the  middle  of  April.     Begin  laying  about  the  mid- 
dle of  May.     Nest  on  trees  and  bushes.      Composed  of  sticks  loosely  woven 
together.      Eggs,  three  to  five;    1.95x1.45;  pale  yellowish  to  greenish  blue;    in 
form  oval. 


ORDER  PALUDICOL^E.  CRANES,  BAILS,  ETC. 

SUBORDER  GRUES.     CRANES. 
FAMILY  GRIIID^.     CRANES. 

GENUS    GrRTJS    PALLAS. 

B.  478.     R.  582.     C.  668.     G.  272.     U.  204. 

60.  G-rus  americana  (LINN.).   Whooping  Crane.    Migratory;  rare.    Arrive  about 
the  middle  of  March  to  first  of  April. 

B.  479.     R.  583.     C.  669.     G.  273.     U.  206. 

61.  G-rus  mexicana  (MULL.).   Sandhill  Crane.   Migratory;  common.    Arrive  about 
the  middle  of  March  to  first  of  April. 


12  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


SUBORDER  RAL/L/I.     RAILS,  GALLINULES,  COOTS,  ETC. 
FAMILY    RALLID^E.     KAILS,  GALLINULES,  AND  COOTS. 

SUBFAMILY    RALLINy^E.     RAILS. 
GENUS   RALLiUS   LINN^US. 

B.  542.     R.  569.     C.  676.     G.  267.     U.  208. 

62.  Rallus  elegans  AUD.  King  Rail.  Summer  resident;  common  in  eastern  Kansas. 
Arrive  the  first  to  middle  of  April.    Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  May.    Nest  on 
the  ground  in  marshy  places  at  or  near  the  edge  of  water,  generally  upon  a  hum- 
mock in  a  thick,  heavy  growth  of  grass,  or  under  a  bush,  made  of  coarse  grasses, 
weeds  and  rushes,  quite  bulky,  and  so  woven  together  as  to  often  form  a  partial 
cover  overhead.      Eggs,  six  to  twelve;  1.63x1.25;  -pale  bluish  to    cream  white, 
sparingly  specked  and  spotted  with  various  shades  of  reddish  brown,  and  shell 
stains  of  purple  and  lilac,  the  spots  thickest  and  often  running  together  around 
large  end;  in  form  oval. 

B.  554.     R.  572.     C.  677.     G.  268.     U.  212. 

63.  Ralhis  virginianus   LINN.     Virginia  Rail.     Summer   resident;  rare;  during 
migration  common.     Arrive  the  middle  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying 
about  the  middle  of  May.     Nest  in  thick  growth  of  grass  on  low  boggy  grounds, 
quite  bulky,  made  of  grass,  weeds,  etc.    Eggs,  six  to  ten;  they  are  said  to  average 
1.25x.95;  measurement  of  a  set  collected  May  21st,  1878,  at  Pewaukee,  Wisconsin, 
1.26x.90,  1.27x.90,  1.27x.90,  1.32x.90,  1.28x.91,  1.30x.92,  1.32x.92,  1.35x.92,  1.30x.93, 
1.29x.95;  cream  white,  thinly  spotted  with  reddish  brown,  and  faint  markings  of 
lilac;  thickest  around  large  end;  in  form  oval. 

GENUS   POBZANA   VIEILLOT. 
SUBGENUS  PORZANA. 

B.  555.     R.  574.     C.  679.     G.  269.     U.  214. 

64.  Porzana    Carolina    (LINN.).     Sora.     Summer   resident;   rare;   in   migration 
abundant.     Arrive  the  middle  of  April  to   first  of  May.     Begin   laying    about 
the  middle  of  May.     Nest  on  marshy  ground,  at  the  border  of  ponds,  and  old 
channels  of  streams,  in  elevated  tussocks  of  grass,  a  shallow  or  platform  nest 
made  loosely  of  grass,  weeds  and  rushes.     Eggs,  six  to  ten;  1.20x.90;  grayish  to 
olive  drab,  specked  and  spotted  with  purple  and  reddish  brown;  in  form  oblong; 
oval. 

SUBGENUS  COTURNICOPS  BONAPARTE. 

B.  557.     R.  575.     C.  680.     G.  — .     TJ.  215. 

65.  Porzana  noveboracensis  (GMEL.).     Yellow  Rail.     Summer  resident;  rare. 
Prof.  L.  L.  Dyche,  Curator  of  Birds  and  Mammals,  State  University,  writes  me 
that  April  18,  1885,  he  captured  one  of  the  birds,  ( a  female,)  on  low  wet  land 


OEDEB  PALUDICOL^E.  13 

about  five  miles  southeast  of  Lawrence.  The  specimen  is  mounted  in  the  fine 
collection  under  his  charge.  It  is  the  first  bird  to  my  knowledge  captured,  or 
seen  in  the  State;  but  this  is  not  strange,  as  the  birds  inhabit  the  marshy  grounds, 
and  at  the  least  alarm,  run,  skulk  and  hide  in  the  reeds  or  grass,  and  it  is  next 
to  impossible  to  force  them  to  take  wing.  Therefore  seldom  seen  even  where 
known  to  be  common.  I  enter  the  bird  as  summer  resident,  because  they  have 
been  found  both  north  and  south  of  us,  and  are  known  to  breed  within  their 
geographical  range.  Nest  on  the  ground.  The  following  description  is  from 
Vol.  1,  North  American  Water  Birds:  "Its  nest  resembles  the  ordinary  loosely 
constructed  one  of  this  family."  *  *  *  "  Three  eggs  in  the  Smithsonian  Col- 
lection (No.  7057),  from  Winnebago,  in  northern  Illinois,  measure  respectively 
1.08  inches  by  .85,  1.12  by  .82,  1.12  by  .80.  They  are  of  oval  shape,  one  end 
slightly  more  tapering  than  the  other.  Their  ground-color  is  a  very  deep  buff, 
and  one  set  of  markings,  which  are  almost  entirely  confined  to  the  larger  end, 
consists  of  blotches  of  pale  diluted  purplish  brown;  these  are  overlain  by  a  dense 
sprinkling  of  fine  dottings  of  rusty  brown."  NOTE. —  October  1st,  Professor 
Dyche  captured  on  the  Wakarusa  bottom  lands,  two  and  a  half  miles  south  of 
Lawrence,  another  of  the  little  birds,  a  female,  and  he  thinks  a  young  bird.  The 
lucky  finds  were  both  caught  by  his  dog. 

SUBGENUS  CRECISCUS  CABANIS. 

B.  556.     R.  576.     C.  681.     G.  270.     U.  216. 

66.  Porzana  jamaicensis  (GMEL.).    Black  Rail.     Summer  resident;  rare.  Arrive 
about  the  first  of  April.     Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  May.     Nest  in  a  de- 
pression on  marshy  ground,  composed  of  grass  blades;  in  form,  round  and  deep. 
Eggs,  six  to  ten;  1.02x.80;    creamy  white,  thickly  sprinkled  with  small  dots  of 
reddish  brown;  in  form,  oval.     Two  eggs  —  the  remains  of  a  set  of  eight  col- 
lected near  Manhattan,  and   kindly  loaned  me  for    examination    by  Dr.  C.  P. 
Blachly  —  measure  1.08x.75, 1.05x.78. 

SUBFAMILY    GALLINULIN^E.     GALLINULES. 

GENUS   G-ALLINULA   BBISSON. 

B.  560.     R.  579.     C.  684.     G.  — .     U.  219. 

67.  Gallimila  galeata  (LIGHT.).     Florida  Gallinule.     Prof.  F.  H.  Snow  writes  me, 
under  date  of  October  20th,  1885,  that  since  the  publication  of  his  "Birds  of  Kan- 
sas," in  1875,  he  has  personally  obtained  in  the  State  two  specimens  of  Gallinula 
galeata.     The  first  was  captured  by  himself,  June  14th,  1878,  on  the  Hackberry, 
in  Gove  county;  the  second  by  a  friend  in  the  vicinity  of  Lawrence.     The  bird 
was  entered  in  his  catalogue  on  the  authority  of  Prof.  Baird;  and  at  the  time  of 
the  publication  of  my  catalogue  in  1883,  they  were  known  to  breed  both  north 
and  south  of  the  State,  and  therefore  safe  to  enter  as  a  Kansas  bird;  but  my  list 
only  embraced  the  birds  that  came  under  my  own  observation,  and  that  of  others 
as  reported  to  me.     From  the  fact  that  the  birds  nest  within  their  geographical 
range,  and  its  capture  so  late  in  June,  I  now  enter  it  as  a  rare  summer  resident. 
I  have  found  the  birds  nesting  in  Wisconsin  as  early  as  the  middle  of  May.     Nest 
in  rushes  and  reeds  growing  in  shallow  water,  or  on  swampy  lands;  build  on  the 
tops  of  old  broken-down  stalks,  and  the  nests  are  composed  of  the  same  ma- 
terial, weeds,  and  grasses  —  also  the  leaves  of  the  cat-tail  flag,  when  growing  in 


14  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


the  vicinity  —  a  circular  structure,  and  in  some  cases  quite  deep  and  bulky.  Eggs, 
usually  eight  to  ten;  1.73  x  1.24;  buff  white,  thinly  spotted  and  splashed  with  vary- 
ing shades  of  reddish  brown;  in  form  oval.  One  set  of  thirteen,  collected  May 
25th,  1878,  on  a  bog  in  Pewaukee  lake,  Wisconsin,  measure  as  follows:  1.63x1.18; 
1.84x1.27;  1.67x1.18;  1.60x1.16;  1.67x1.18;  1.78x1.30;  1.81x1.29;  1.79x1.29;  1.88x 
1.27;  1.70x1.16;  1.80x1.30;  1.75x1.18;  1.80x1.28. 

SUBFAMILY    FULICIN./E.     COOTS. 
GENUS   FULICA   LINNAEUS. 

B.  559.     R.  580.     C.  686.     G.  271.     U.  221. 

68.  Fulica  americana  GMEL.  American  Coot.  Summer  resident;  not  uncom- 
mon; during  migration  abundant.  Arrive  the  first  to  middle  of  April.  Begin 
laying  the  last  of  May.  Nest  in  the  tall  weeds  and  rushes  growing  in  shallow, 
muddy  places  in  ponds  and  sloughs;  built  on  the  tops  of  the  broken-down  old 
growth  that  forms  a  platform  just  above  the  water;  quite  a  deep,  hollow  nest, 
composed  of  short,  bitten-off  stems  of  the  weeds  and  rushes.  Eggs,  usually 
eight  or  nine — I  have  seen  eleven  in  a  nest;  1.92x1.32;  cream  white,  in  some 
cases  pale  olive  drab,  thickly  and  evenly  specked  with  dark  brown;  in  form  oval. 


ORDER  LIMICOLJE.    SHORE  BIRDS. 

FAMILY   PHALAROPODID^.     PHALAROPES. 
GENUS  PHALABOPUS   BBISSON. 

SUBGENUS  PHALABOPUS. 

B.  520.     R.  564.     C.  603.     G.  264.     U.  223. 

69.  Phalaropus  lobatus  (LINN.).     Northern  Phalarope.     Migratory;  rare.     Ar- 
rive about  the  middle  to  last  of  May. 

SUBGENUS  BTEGANOPUS  VIEILLOT. 

B.  519.     R.  565.     C.  602.     G.  265.     U.  224. 

70.  Phalaropus  tricolor  (VIEILL.).     Wilson's  Phalarope.     Migratory;  common. 
Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     June  3d,  1885, 1  saw  a  small  flock  at  the 
edge  of  a  marshy  pond  in  Meade  county,  and  I  feel  quite  confident  that  they 
occasionally  breed  in  the  western  part  of  the  State. 

FAMILY   RECURVIROSTRID-ffi,       AVOCETS  AND  STILTS. 

GENUS   R.ECURVIROSTRA   LINN^US. 

B.  517.     R.  566.     C.  600.     G.  266.     U.  225. 

71.  Recurvirostra    americana    GM.    American  Avocet.     Summer  resident  in 
western  Kansas;  rare;  during  migration  common  throughout  the  State.     Arrive 


ORDER  LIMICOL^E.  15 


the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.  Begin  laying  early  in  June.  Nest  on  the  ground 
in  the  tall  grass  at  or  near  the  edge  of  shallow  ponds  of  water;  made  of  the  old 
stems  of  the  grass  and  lined  with  the  finer  leaves  of  the  upland  prairie  grasses. 
Eggs,  three  or  four;  1.80x1.30;  olivaceous  drab  to  buff,  rather  uniformly  spotted 
or  blotched  with  varying  shades  of  light  to  dark  brown;  in  form  obovate. 

GENUS   HIMANTOPUS   BBISSON. 

B.  518.     R.  567.     C.  601.     G.  — .     U.  226. 

72.  Himantopus  mexicanus  (MULL.).  Black-necked  Stilt.  Mr.  W.  H.  Gibson, 
formerly  of  Topeka,  now  of  Las  Vegas,  New  Mexico,  (Taxidermist,)  informs  me 
that  he  saw  three  of  the  birds  about  the  middle  of  June,  1881,  on  low,  wet  ground 
near  the  Arkansas  river  at  Lakin.  Without  doubt  the  birds  occasionally  breed 
in  southwestern  Kansas. 


FAMILY   SCOLOPACID-32.     SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  ETC. 
GENUS   PHILOHELA   GBAY. 

B.  522..    R.  525.     C.  605.     G.  240.     U.  228. 

73.  Philohela  minor  (GMEL.).    American  Woodcock.     Occasional  summer  resi- 
dent;   quite  common  in  migration.     Arrive  the  last  of  February  to  middle  of 
March.     Begin  laying  the  first  of  April.     Nest  on  the  ground  in  the  timbered 
lands  along  the  streams  and  about  the  ponds,  usually  under  an  old  log  or  at  the 
foot  of  a  stump;  a  loosely  constructed  nest  of  old  leaves  and  grasses.     Eggs, 
three  or  four;  1.60x1.16;  grayish  to  buff -white,  irregularly  spotted  and  blotched 
with  various  shades  of  reddish  brown  and  neutral  tints;  in  shape  pyriform  to 
oval. 

GENUS   GrALiLINAG-O   LEACH. 

B.  523.     R.  526a.     C.  608.     G.  241.     U.  230. 

74.  G-allinag-o  delicata  (One.).    Wilson's  Snipe.     Migratory;  common.     Arrive 
in  March  to  first  of  April. 

GENUS   MACRORHAMPHUS  LEACH. 

B.  525.     R.  527a.     C.  610.     G.  242.     U.  232. 

75.  Macrorhamphus  scolopaceus  (SAY).    Long-billed  Dowitcher.    Migratory; 
common.     Arrive  in  April. 

GENUS   MICROPALAMA   BAIBD. 

B.  536.     R.  528.     C.  611.     G.  243.     U.  233. 

76.  Micropalama  himantopus   (BONAP.).     Stilt  Sandpiper.    Migratory;  rare. 
Arrive  in  April. 

GENUS   TRINGA  LINNJSUS. 

SUBGENUS  TRINGA. 

B.  526.     R.  529.     C.  626.     G.  244.     U.  234. 

77.  Tringa  canutus  LINN.     Knot.     Migratory;  rare.     Two  specimens  shot  in  the 
spring  of  the  year  at  Neosho  Falls,  by  Col.  W.  L.  Parsons,  are  the  only  ones,  to 
my  knowledge,  captured  or  seen  in  the  State. 


16  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


SUBGENUS  ACTODROMAS  KAUP. 

B.  531.     R.  534.     C.  616.     G.  245.     U.  239. 

78.  Tringa  maculata  VIEILL.     Pectoral  Sandpiper.     Migratory;  abundant.    Ar- 
rive the  last  of  March  to  middle  of  April. 

B.  533.     R.  536.     C.  617.     G.  246.     U.  240. 

79.  Tringa  fuscicollis  VIEILL.    White-rumped  Sandpiper.    Migratory;  common. 
Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

B.  — .     R.  537.     C.  615.     G.  247.     U.  241. 

80.  Tringa  bairdii  (COUES).    Baird's  Sandpiper.     Migratory ;    quite  common. 
Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.. 

B.  532.     R.  538.     C.  614.     G.  248.     U.  242. 

81.  Tringa  minutilla  VIEILL.     Least  Sandpiper.     Migratory;  abundant.     Arrive 
in  April  to  first  of  May. 

SUBGENUS  PELIDNA  CUVIER. 

B.  530.     R.  539a.     C.  624.     G.  249.     U.  243a. 

82.  Tringa  alpina  paciflca  (COUES).    Red-backed  Sandpiper.    Migratory;  rare. 
Arrive  in  April. 

GENUS   EREUNETES   ILLIGEB.  • 

B.  535.     R.  541.     C.  612.     G.  250.     U.  246. 

83.  Ereunetes    pusillus    (LiNN.).     Semipalmated  Sandpiper.     Migratory;   rare. 
Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

GENUS   CALIDBIS  CUVIEB. 

B.  534.     R.  542.     C.  627.     G.  251.     U.  248. 

84.  Oalidris  arenaria  (LINN.).     Sanderling.     Reported  by  Prof.  F.  H.  Snow  in 
his  catalogue  of  the  birds  of  Kansas:  "Migratory;  rare.    Taken  at  Lawrence  by 
W.  E.  Stevens,  October  7th,  1874." 

GENUS   LIMOSA  BBISSON. 

B.  547.     R.  543.     C.  628.     G.  252.     U.  249. 

85.  Limosa  fedoa  (LiNN.).    Marble  Godwit.    Migratory;  not  uncommon.     Arrive 
the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

B.  548.     R.  545.     C.  629.     G.  253.     U.  251. 

86.  Limosa hsemastica  (LINN.).     Hudsonian  Godwit.     Migratory;  rare.    Arrive 
the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

GENUS   TOTANUS   BECHSTEIN. 

B.  539.     R.  548.     C.  633.     G.  254.     U.  254. 

87.  Totanus   melanoleucus    (GMEL.).     Greater   Yellow-legs.     Migratory;   com- 
mon.    Arrive  the  first  of  March  to  first  of  April. 

B.  540.     R.  549.     C.  634.     G.  255.     U.  255. 

88.  Totanus  flavipes  (GMEL.).     Yellow-legs.     Migratory;  abundant.     Arrive  the 
first  of  March  to  first  of  April. 


OR  DEE  LIMICOL^E.  17 


SUBGENUS  RHYACOPHILUS  KAUP. 

B.  541.     R.  550.     C.  637.     G.  256.     U.  256. 

89.  Totanus    solitarius    (WILS.).     Solitary    Sandpiper.     Migratory;    common. 
Probably  breed  in  the  State.     Arrive  the  first  of  March  to  first  of  April. 

GENUS   SYMPHEMIA   RAFINESQUE. 

B.  537.     R.  552.     C.  632.     G.  257.     U.  258. 

90.  Symphemia    semipalmata    (GMEL.).     Willet.     Migratory;    rare.     Arrive 
about  the  first  of  May.     Probably  breed  in  the  western  part  of  the  State. 

GENUS   BARTRAMIA   LESSON. 

B.  545.     R,  555.     C.  640.     G.  258.     U.  261. 

91.  Bartramia  longicauda  (BECHST.).     Bartramian  Sandpiper.     Summer  resi- 
dent; abundant.    Arrive  the  middle  of  April  to  first  of  May.    Begin  laying  early 
in  May.     Nest  on  the  prairies  in  a  depression  on  the  ground  at  the  foot  of  a 
bunch  of  grass,  and  often  in  open  exposed  situations;  in  some  cases  the  bottom 
of  the  nest  is  lined  sparingly  and  loosely  with  grasses.     Eggs,  four;  1.75x1.27; 
grayish  white  to  pale  buff,  spotted  with  varying  shades  of  light  to  dark  brown; 
thickest  about  large  end;  in  shape  pyriform. 

GENUS   TRYNG-ITES   CABANIS. 

B.  546.     R.  556.     C.  641.     G.  259.     U.  262. 

92.  Tryngites    subruficollis  (VIEILL.).     Buff -breasted  Sandpiper.     Migratory; 
rare.     Arrive  about  the  first  of  May. 

GENUS   ACTITIS   ILLIGEB. 

B.  543.     R.  557.     C.  638.     G.  260.     U.  263. 

93.  Actitis  macularia  (LINN.).    Spotted  Sandpiper.    Summer  resident;  rare;  in 
migration  common.     Arrive  the  middle  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying 
the  last  of  May.     Nest  on  the  ground,  lined  sparingly  with  grasses  and  leaves; 
usually  on  open,  dry  lands  near  water,  and  in  a  tuft  of  grass  or  under  a  low 
bush;  (I  once  found  a  nest  under  an  old  drift  log).    Eggs,  four;  1.30x.93;  creamy 
buff  to  olive  drab,  spotted  and  blotched  with  dark  brown  and  shell  markings  of 
lilac;  thickest  and  running  somewhat  together  around  large  end;  in  shape  pyri- 
form. & 

GENUS  NUMBNIUS   BBISSON. 

B.  549.     R.  558.     C.  643.     G.  261.     U.  264. 

94.  Numenms  longirostris  WILS.    Long-billed  Curlew.    Summer  resident;  rare; 
in  migration  common.     Arrive  about  the  first  of  April.     Begin  laying  early  in 
May.     Nest  on  the  ground  in  a  slight  depression,  sparingly  lined  with  grasses; 
usually  upon  the  high  dry  prairies,  often  quite  a  distance  from  water.     Eggs, 
three  or  four;  2.85x1.85;  creamy  white  to  olive  drab,  spotted  and  blotched  with 
lilac  and  varying  shades  of  brown;  in  form  rather  oval. 

B.  550.     R.  559.     C.  645.     G.  262.     U.  265. 

95.  Numenius  hudsonicus  LATH.    Hudsoiiian  Curlew.    Migratory;  rare.    Arrive 
the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

2 


18  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


B.  551.     R.  560.     C.  646.     G.  263.     U.  266. 

96.  Numenius  borealis  (FOEST.).     Eskimo  Curlew.     Migratory;  abundant.     Ar- 
rive the  last  of  March  to  middle  of  April. 


FAMILY   CHARADRIIDJE.     PLOVERS. 

GENUS   CHARADBIUS   LINNAEUS. 
SUBGENUS  SQUATAROLA  CUVIER. 

B.  510.     R.  513.     C.  580.     G.  235.     U.  270. 

97.  Charadrius   squatarola    (LINN.).     Black-bellied  Plover.     Migratory;   rare. 
Arrive  in  April. 

SUBGENUS  CHARADRIUS  LINN.EUS. 

B.  503.     R.  515.     C.  581.     G.  236.     U.  272. 

98.  Charadrius  dominicus  MULL.     American  Golden  Plover.     Migratory;  abun- 
ant.     Arrive  about  the  first  of  April. 

GENUS   JEG-IALITIS  BOIE. 

SUBGENUS   OXYECHUS  REICHENBACH. 

B.  504.     R.  516.     C.  584.     G.  237.     U.  273. 

99.  ^glalitis  vocifera  (LINN.).     Killdeer.     Summer  resident;  abundant.     Arrive 
early  in  the  spring;  I  have  often  seen  the  birds  in  February.     Begin  laying  the 
last  of  April.     Nest  on  the  dry  ground,  in  a  small  depression,  usually  beneath  a 
bunch  of  grass  or  weeds,  in  the  vicinity  of  streams  arid  pools  of  water,  lined  spar- 
ingly with  bits  of   old  grass  or  weeds,  chiefly  about   the  edge.     Eggs,  usually 
four;  1.45x1.05;  buff  to  drab  white,  spotted  and  blotched  with  umber  and  blackish 
brown,  thickest  about  large  end;  pyriform  in  shape,  very  obtuse  at  large  end 
and  sharply  pointed  at  the  other. 

SUBGENUS  uEGIALITIS  BOIE. 

B.  507.     R.  517.     C.  586.     G.  238.     U.  274. 

100.  .^Eglalitis  semipalmata  BONAP.     Semipalmated  Plover.     Migratory;   not 
uncommon.     Dr.  Lewis  Watson  reports  seeing  a  small  flock  at  Ellis,  and  Mr. 
V.  L.  Kellogg  and  Mr.  A.  L.  Bennett  both  report  seeing  several  small  flocks, 
and  the  captnre  of  a  pair  April  25th,  1885,  at  Emporia. 

SUBGENUS  PODASOCYS  COUES. 

B.  505.     R.  523.     C.  592.     G.  239.     U.  281. 

101.  JEgialitis    montana    (TOWNS.).     Mountain    Plover.     Summer    resident   in 
western  to  middle  Kansas;  common.     Arrive  about  the  middle  of  April.     Begin 
laying  early  in  May.     Nest  in  a  depression  on  the  ground,  lined  sparingly  with 
the  leaves  of  grasses.     Eggs,  two  to  four;  1.45x1.10;  deep  olive  to  brownish 
drab,  sprinkled  with  fine  dots  of  blackish  brown  and  neutral  tints;  pyriform  in 
shape,  but  not  so  sharply  pointed  as  other  species  of  this  genus. 


ORDER  GALLING.  19 


ORDER  GALLIN^E.    GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS. 

SUBORDER   PHASIAISTL     PHEASANTS,  GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES, 

QUAIL,  ETC. 

FAMILY  TETRAONID-32.     GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  QUAIL,  ETC. 

SUBFAMILY    PERDICIN./E.     PAETBIDGES. 
GENUS   COLiINUS   LESSON. 

B.  471.     R.  480.     C.  571.     G.  223.     U.  289. 

102.  Colinus  virg-inianus  (LINN.).     Bob-white.  Resident;  abundant.    Begin  lay- 
ing the  last  of  April.     Nest  in  a  depression  on  the  ground,  usually  in  the  grass 
upon  the  prairies,  sometimes  in  a  thicket  under  a  low  bush;  composed  of  grasses, 
and  generally  partially  arched  over  with  entrance  on  the  side.     Eggs,  fifteen  to 
twenty;  1.10x.97;  pure  white;  in  shape  pyriform. 

SUBFAMILY   TETRAONIN^E.     GBOUSE. 
GENUS    BONASA   STEPHENS. 

B.  465.     R.  473.     C.  565.     G.  218.     U.  300. 

103.  Bonasa  umbellus  (LINN.J.     Ruff ed  Grouse.     In  the  early  settlement  of  the 
State,    a   resident    in    eastern    Kansas,    erroneously,    but  generally  known  as 
"Partridges"    in  the  Northern  States,  and  as    "Pheasants"  in  the  Southern 
States.    ( The  timber  along  the  streams  where  protected  from  fire,  and  the  un- 
dergrowth from  browsing  and  tramping  of  cattle,  offers  a  natural  home  for  the 
birds,  and  they  should  be  placed  there  and  protected.)    Begin  laying  the  last  of 
April.     Nest  on  the  ground  in  groves  and  at  the  edge  of  timber,  a  place  worked 
out  to  fit  the  body,  and  rather  sparingly  and  loosely  lined  with  grasses  and 
leaves.     Eggs,  seven  to  twelve;    1.55x1.15;   cream  white,  occasionally  faintly 
blotched  with  light  drab  or  buff  ;  in  form  rather  oval,  approaching  pyriform, 

GENUS   TYMPANTJCHUS   GLOGEB. 

B.  464.     R.  477.     C.  563.     G.  219.     U.  305. 

104.  Tympanuclms  americanus  (REICH.).     Prairie  Hen.     Resident;  common 
in  middle  and  eastern  Kansas.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  April.     Nest  on  the 
ground  in  the  thick  prairie  grass,  and  at  the  foot  of  bushes  on  the  barren  ground, 
a  hollow  scratched  out  in  the  soil  and  sparingly  lined  with  grasses  and  a  few 
feathers.      Eggs,   eight  to  twelve;  1.68x1.25;  tawny  brown,  sometimes  with  an 
olive  hue,  and  occasionally  sprinkled  with  brown;  in  form  rather  oval. 


20  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


B.  — .     R.  477a.     C.  564.     G.  220.     U.  307. 

105.  Tympanuchus  pallidicinctus  (RIDGW.).     Lesser  Prairie  Hen.     Resident 
in  southern  Kansas;  rare.     Nesting  habits  similar  to  T. americanus. 

GENUS   PEDIOCJETES   BAIBD. 

B.  — .     R,  — .     C.  — .     G.  — .     U.  3086. 

106.  Pediocaetes    phasianellus    campestris    RIDGW.      Prairie    Sharp-tailed 
Grouse.     Resident  in  middle  and  western  Kansas;  becoming  rare.     Begin  lay- 
ing about  the  middle  of  May.     Nest  on  the  ground,  under  a  bush  or  tuft  of 
grass  on  the  prairies  —  a  hole  scratched  out  in  the  earth  to  fit  the  body,  lined 
loosely  and  sparingly  with  grasses  and  leaves.     Eggs,  eight  to  fifteen;  1.75x 
1.25;  pale  olive  drab  to  rusty  brown,  usually  unmarked,  but  occasionally  uni- 
formly sprinkled  with  minute  dots  of  dark  brown;  in  form  oval.     Entered  in 
first  catalogue,  No.  221,  as  P.  phasianellus  columbianus  (Ord  ). 

GENUS   CENTROCERCTJS   SWAINSON. 

B.  462.     R.  479.     C.  560.     G.  222.     U.  309. 

107.  Centrocercus  urophasianus  (BONAP.).     Sage  Grouse.     Included  as  an  oc- 
casional resident  of  western  Kansas  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  Will.  T.  Cavanaugh, 
Assistant  Secretary  of  State,  who  informs  me  that  while  hunting  buffalo  during 
1871,  1872,  1873  and  1874,  he  occasionally  met  with  and  shot  the  birds  in  the 
sage  brush  near  the  southwest  corner  of  the  State.     Begin  laying  the  last  of 
May.     Nest  on  the  ground  upon  the  plains  under  a  low  sage  or  greasewood 
bush  in  a  depression  scratched  out  to  fit  the  body;  the  outside  edge  or  rim 
composed  of  small  sticks  and  grasses,  lined  inside  with  feathers  plucked  from 
their  bodies.     Eggs,  six  to  nine.     In  the  many  nests  that  I  found  in  Wyoming 
Territory,  seven  was  the  usual  number  —  in  no  case  more  than  nine;  2.10x1.50; 
light-greenish  drab  to  pale-yellowish  brown,  sprinkled  with  minute  dots  of  red- 
dish brown  — upon  some  a  few  blotches  of  reddish  brown;  in  form  elongate 
oval. 

FAMILY  PHASIANIDJE.     PHEASANTS,  ETC. 

SUBFAMILY    MELEAGRIN^E.     TUBKEYS. 
GENUS   MELAGrRIS   LINN^US. 

B.  457.     R.  470a.     C.  554.     G.  217.     U.  310. 

108.  Meleagris  gallopavo  LINN.     Wild  Turkey.     An  abundant  resident  in  the 
early  settlement  of  the  State,  but  rapidly  diminishing,  and  will  soon  be  ex- 
terminated.    Begin  laying  early  in  April.     Nest  on  the  ground  in  dense  thickets, 
often  under  an  old  log  or  tree-top,  in  a  place  scratched  out  to  fit  the  body,  and 
lined  loosely  and  sparingly  with  grasses,  weeds  and  leaves.     Eggs,  ten  to  fifteen; 
2.50x1.85;  buff  white,  specked  and  spotted  with  rusty  brown;  in  form  somewhat 
oval,  but  rather  pointed  at  small  end,  and  obtuse  at  the  other. 


ORDER  RAPTORES.  21 


ORDER  COLTJMB^E.    PIGEONS. 

FAMILY   COLUMBID-ZE,     PIGEONS. 

GENUS   ECTOPISTES   SWAINSON. 

B.  448.     R.  459.     C.  543.     G.  215.     U.  315. 

1O9.  Ectopistes  migratorius  (LINN.).  Passenger  Pigeon.  Irregular  summer 
resident;  rare;  a  few  to  my  knowledge  breed  occasionally  in  the  Neosho  Valley. 
Arrive  the  middle  of  March.  Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  April.  Nest  in 
trees,  and  in  communities;  a  slight  platform  structure  of  twigs,  without  any 
material  for  lining  whatever.  Eggs,  two;  1.45x1.05;  white;  in  form  varying 
from  elliptical  to  oval. 

GENUS   ZENAIDURA   BONAPAETE. 

B.  451.     R.  460.     C.  544.     G.  216.     U.  316. 

HO.  Zenaidura  macroura  (LINN.).  Mourning  Dove.  Summer  resident;  abun- 
dant; occasional  winter  sojourner  in  southern  Kansas.  Begin  laying  the  last 
of  April.  Nest  placed  on  the  forks  of  low,  horizontal  branches  of  trees,  on 
grape-vines,  and  upon  the  ground;  when  built  off  the  ground  a  loose  slight 
platform,  constructed  of  twigs,  a  few  stems  of  grass  and  leaves.  Eggs,  two; 
1.12x.85;  white;  in  form  elliptical  to  oval. 


ORDER  RAPTORES.    BIRDS  or  PREY. 

SUBORDER  SARCORHAMPHI.     AMERICAN  VULTURES. 

FAMILY   CATHARTID-32.     AMERICAN  VULTURES. 
GENUS   CATHARTES 


B.  1.     R.  454.     C.  557.     G.  213.     U.  325. 

111.  Cathartes   aura  (LINN.).     Turkey  Vulture.     Summer  resident;   abundant; 
occasionally  seen  in  winter.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  April.     Nest  on  rocky 
ledges,  and  in  hollow  trees  and  stumps.     Eggs,  two,  laid  on  the  bare  rocks  or 
debris;  no  lining;  2.70x1.90;  grayish  white,  variously  and  unevenly  blotched 
and  splashed  with  light  to  dark  reddish  brown  and  purplish  drab;  in  form 
rounded  oval. 

GENUS   CATHARISTA  VIEILLOT. 

B.  3.     R.  455.     C.  538.     G.  214.     U.  326. 

112.  Catharieta  atrata  (BABTB.).     Black  Vulture.     Summer  resident;  rare.     Dr. 
George  Lisle,  of  Chetopa,  (a  close  observer,)  writes  me  in  the  spring  of  1883 


22  BIBDS  OF  KANSAS. 


that  the  birds  were  quite  common,  and  breeding  there  fifteen  or  twenty  years 
ago,  but  now  quite  scarce;  that  he  saw  three  of  the  birds  in  the  fall  of  1882  at 
a  "slaughter  pen"  with  Turkey  Buzzards;  that  in  1858  he  found  a  nest  with 
two  eggs  in  an  old  hollow  broken  stump.  And  Dr.  Lewis  Watson  reports  the 
capture  of  one  at  Ellis,  March  27th,  1885.  Nest  on  the  ground,  and  in  old  hol- 
low logs  and  crevices  of  rocks.  Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  April.  Eggs, 
two,  laid  on  the  bare  ground  and  rotten  wood,  no  material  of  any  kind  used  for 
lining;  3.00x2.00;  dull  yellowish  to  bluish  white,  spotted  and  blotched  irregu- 
larly, in  some  cases  sparingly,  on  others  thickly  with  umber  to  dark  reddish 
brown;  in  form  rounded  oval. 


SUBORDER   FALCO1STES.     VULTURES,   FALCONS,   HAWKS,  BUZ- 
ZARDS, EAGLES,  KITES,  HARRIERS,  ETC. 

FAMILY  FALCONID^E,     VULTURES,  FALCONS,  HAWKS,  EAGLES,  ETC. 

SUBFAMILY  ACCIPITRIN>3i.     KITES,  BUZZAEDS,  HAWKS,  GOSHAWKS, 

EAGLES,  ETC. 

GENUS  ELANOIDES  VIEILLOT. 

B.  34.     R.  426.     C.  493.     G.  197.     U.  327. 

113.  Blanoides    forficatus    (LINN.).      Swallow-tailed  Kite.      Irregular  summer 
resident  in  eastern  Kansas;    some  seasons   common,  others  rare.     Arrive  the 
first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest  in  the  small  branches  near 
the  tops  of  tall  trees,  composed  of  sticks  loosely  interwoven,  and  lined  spar- 
ingly with  the  soft,  ribbon-like  strippings  from  the  inner  bark  of  decaying  or 
dead  cotton  wood  trees.     Eggs,  four  to  six;  1.87x1.50;  cream  white,  irregularly 
spotted  and  blotched  with  dark  reddish  brown,  running  often  largely  together 
towards  small  end;  in  form  rather  oval. 

GENUS  ICTINIA  VIEILLOT. 

B.  36.     R.  428.     C.  491.     G.  198.     U.  329. 

114.  Ictinia  mississippiensis  (WILS.).      Mississippi  Kite.      Summer  resident; 
rare.      Arrive  the  first  of  May.      Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.      Nest  in  the 
forks  of  trees  along  the  streams,  often  in  deserted  crows'  nests,  fitted  up  with 
a  few  extra  sticks   and  green  twigs  in  leaf,  for  lining.     Eggs,  two  or  three; 
measurement  of  one  egg  collected  at  Neosho  Falls,  1.70x1.35;  pure  white;  in 
form  roundish. 

GENUS  CIRCUS  LACEPEDE. 

B.  38.     R.  430.     C.  489.     G.  199.     U.  331. 

115.  Circus  hudsonius  (  LINN.).      Marsh   Hawk.      Resident;   abundant.      Begin 
laying  about  the  first  of  May.     Nest  placed  on  the  ground,  in  the  grass,  some- 
times under  low  bushes,  and  usually  on  the  bottom  prairie  lands;    a  slight 
structure,  made  usually  of  grasses,  sometimes  with  a  foundation  of  sticks  and 


ORDER  RAP  TORES.  23 


weeds.  Eggs,  four  to  six;  1.86x1.42;  bluish  white,  generally  unspotted,  but 
occasionally  with  faint  to  distinct  spots  and  blotches  of  purplish  brown;  in 
form  broadly  oval. 

GENUS  ACCIPITEB  BEISSON. 

SUBGENUS  ACCIPITER. 

B.  17.     R.  432.     C.  494.     G.  201.     U.  332. 

116.  Accipiter  velox  (WiLS.).      Sharp-shinned  Hawk.     Winter  sojourner;    rare. 
In  migration,  common. 

B.  15,  16.     R,  431.     C.  495.     G.  200.     U.  333. 

117.  Accipiter  cooperi  (BONAP.).     Cooper's  Hawk.     Resident;  common  in  sum- 
mer.    Begin  laying  early  in  May.     Nest  in  the  forks  of  medium-sized  trees, 
from  twenty-five  to  fifty  feet  from  the  ground,  made  of  sticks  and  twigs,  and 
lined   sparingly  with   grass   and   leaves.     Eggs   usually  four;    1.94x1.54;    pale 
bluish  white;  occasionally  eggs  will  show  faint  blotches  of  lilac  to  yellowish 
brown,  especially  about  the  large  end;  in  form  rounded  oval. 

SUBGENUS  ASTUB  LACEPEDE. 

B.  14.     R.  433.     C.  496.     G.  202.     U.  334. 

118.  Accipiter    atricapillus    (WILS.).     American    Goshawk.     Winter   visitant; 
rare. 

GENUS  BUTEO  CUVIEB. 

B.  23.     R.  436.     C.  516.     G.  203.     U.  337. 

119.  Buteo   borealis   (GMEL.).      Red-tailed  Hawk.      Resident;    common.      Begin 
laying  the  last  of  February.     Nest  in  the  forks  of  the  branches  of  the  tallest 
trees  on  the  timbered  bottom  lands;   a  bulky  structure,  made  of  sticks  and 
lined  sparingly  with  grass,  leaves,  and  a  few  feathers.     Eggs,  three  or  four; 
2.30x1.84;  bluish  white,  thinly  and  irregularly  spotted  and  blotched  with  vari- 
ous shades  of  light  to  dark  brown;  in  form  elliptical  to  oval. 

B.  — .     R.  436a.     C.  519.     G.  — .     U.  337a. 

120.  Buteo  borealis  kriderii  HOOPES.     Krider's  Hawk.     I  killed,  October  12th, 
1883,  a  female,  near  Wallace,  and  think  I  saw  during  the  day  another,  but  the 
birds  at  a  distance  so  closely  resemble  the  light  phase  of  Archibuteo  ferrugineus 
that  I  was  not  positive.     They  are  birds  of  the  plains,  found  from  Texas  to 
Minnesota. 

B.  20,  24.     R.  4366.     C.  517.     G.  204.     U.  3376. 

121.  Buteo  borealis   calurus   (CASS.).     Western  Red-tail.     Not  an  uncommon 
winter  sojourner;  leave  in  March. 

B.  22.     R.  438.     C.  515.     G.  205.     U.  338. 

122.  Buteo  harlani  (Auo.).     Harlan's  Hawk.     Winter  visitant;  rare. 

B.  25.     R.  439.     C.  520.     G.  206.     U.  339. 

123.  Buteo   lineatus  (GMEL.).       Red-shouldered   Hawk.     Resident;   common  in 
eastern  Kansas.     Begin  laying  early  in  March.     Nest  in  the  forks  of  branches 
of  medium-sized  trees,  twenty  to  fifty  feet  from  the  ground,  composed  of  sticks 
and   twigs,   and  sparingly  lined  with  soft  strippings  of  bark,  leaves,   and  a 
few  feathers.     Eggs,  three  or  four;  2.20x1.70;  bluish  white,  irregularly  spotted 
and  blotched  with  varying  shades  of  light  to  dark-reddish  brown;  varying  in 
form  from  subspherical  to  elliptical. 


24  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


B.  18,  19,  21,  28.     R.  442.     C.  523.     G.  207.     U.  342. 

124.  Buteo  swainsoni  BONAP.      Swainson's  Hawk.      Resident;  rare   in  eastern, 
common  in  middle  and  western  Kansas.     Begins  laying  about  the  middle  of 
May.     Nests  vary  in  height  from  the  shrubby  bushes  of  the  plains  to  the  high 
trees  in  the  timber  —  a  bulky  nest  constructed  of  sticks  and  twigs,  and  scantily 
lined  with  a  few  weeds  or  grasses.     Eggs,  three  to  five;  2.25x1.75;  dull  bluish 
white;  vary  greatly  in  markings,  some  thinly  and  rather  evenly  specked  and 
spotted,  others  with  irregular  blotches  and  splashes  of  faint  to  dark-reddish 
brown,  and  a  few  stains  of  purple;  in  form  rounded  oval. 

B.  27.     R,  443.     C.  524.     G.  208.     U.  343. 

125.  Buteo  latissimus  (WILS.).     Broad-winged   Hawk.      A  rare   bird;  probably 
breeds  in  eastern  Kansas. 

GENUS    ARCHIBUTEO   BEEHM. 

B.  30,  31.     R.  447.     C.  525.     G.  209.     U.  347a. 

126.  Archibuteo  lag-opus  sancti-johannis  (GMEL.).     American  Rough-legged 
Hawk.     Winter  so journer;  common.     Leave  in  March. 

B.  32.     R.  448.     C.  526.     G.  210.     U.  348. 

127.  Archibuteo  ferrug-ineus  (LIGHT.).    Ferruginous  Rough-leg.     Resident;  rare 
in  middle,  common  in  western  Kansas.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  April;  nest 
placed  on  trees  and  rocky  ledges;  a  large,  bulky  structure  composed  of  sticks 
and  twigs,   and  lined  sparingly  with  weeds  or  grasses.     Eggs,  three  or  four; 
2.50x1.95;  buffy  white,  more  or  less  spotted  and  blotched  with  varying  shades 
of  light  to  dark  brown;  in  form  rounded  oval. 

GENUS   AQUILA   BBISSON. 

B.  39.     R.  449.     C.  532.     G.  211.     U.  349. 

128.  Aquila    chrysaetos    (LINN.).     Golden   Eagle.     Resident;    rare.     I  am   in- 
formed by  Dr.  G.  K.  Rumsey  that  a  pair  nested  for  several  years  in  the  south- 
eastern part  of  Comanche  county,  on  a  high  gypsum  ledge,  and  as  proof  that 
he  was  not  mistaken,  says  that  the  legs  of  a  young  bird  captured  were  feathered 
to  the  toes.     The  late  rapid  settlement  of  the  county  has  put  a  stop  to  their 
breeding  there.     Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  March.     Nest  usually  on 
the  shelves  of  high,  steep  rocky  cliffs.     May  5th,  1884,  I  found  at  Julian,  Cali- 
fornia, a  nest  placed  in  and  near  the  top  of  a  tall  pine  tree  —  a  huge  platform 
structure  composed  of  sticks  and  twigs,  and  lined  sparingly  with  grass,  moss, 
and  a  few  feathers.     Eggs,   two  or  three;  2.90x2.25;  white,  occasionally  un- 
marked, but  usually  spotted  and  blotched  with  various  shades  of  drab  to  red- 
dish brown,  and  a  few  faint  purple  shell  markings;  in  form  broadly  subspher- 
ical. 

GENUS   HALIJEETUS   SAVIGNY. 

B.  41,  43.     R.  451.     C.  534.     G.  212.     U.  352. 

129.  Haliseetus  leucocephalus  (LINN.).     Bald  Eagle.     Resident;  rare;  not  un- 
common in  winter.     The  birds  in  first  plumage  are  dark  fcrown;  lighter  in 
color  the  second  year,  and  generally  erroneously  known  as  "  Black  "  and  "  Gray  n 
Eagles;    third  year  in  perfect    plumage;    that  is,  with  head  and    tail  white* 
Only  two  species  in  the  United  States;  distinguished  in  any  plumage  by  the 
legs.     Tarsi  or  shank,  naked  in  this  species,  feathered  to  the  toes  in  Aquila 


ORDER  RAP  TORES.  25 


chrysaetos.  Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  March.  Nest  usually  on  high 
trees  along  the  banks  of  streams,  but  occasionally,  where  trees  are  not  conven- 
ient, build  on  high,  rocky  cliffs,  a  huge  platform  structure  made  of  large 
sticks  and  lined  with  twigs,  grasses,  and  a  few  feathers.  Eggs,  two  to  four; 
average  measurements  as  given  by  others,  about  2.90x2.50;  but  two  that  I  col- 
lected at  Neah  Bay,  Washington  Territory,  only  measure  2.50x1.95,  2.60x2.00; 
dull  white,  unmarked;  in  form  rounded  oval. 

SUBFAMILY    FALCONIN/E.     FALCONS. 

GENUS   FALCO   LINN.EUS. 
SUBGENUS  HIEROFALCO  CUVIER. 

B.  12.     R.  412o.     C.  500.     G.  190.     U.  354. 

130.  Falco  rusticolus  LINN.     Gray  Gyrfalcon.     Accidental  winter  visitant;  cap- 
tured near  Manhattan  December  1st,  1880,  by  A.  L.  Runyan,  and  reported  to 
me  by  Dr.  C.  P.  Blachly,  who  has  the  bird  (a  fine  specimen)  in  his  collection. 

B.  10.     R.  413.     C.  502.     G.  191.     U.  355. 

131.  Falco  mexicanus  SCHLEG.     Prairie  Falcon.     Resident;  rare.     Nest  usually 

on  the  side  of  steep,  rocky  cliffs,  made  rudely  of  sticks  and  lined  with  grasses. 
Eggs  are  said  to  be  two  to  four.  In  Capt.  B.  F.  Goss's  collection  are  two  eggs 
taken  April  28th,  1880,  at  Marysville,  Mo.,  from  a  tree  thirty-five  feet  from  the 
ground;  notes  fail  to  show  whether  the  nest  was  in  the  forks  of  branches  or 
in  a  hole  of  the  tree,  but  doubtless  in  the  latter,  as  the  habits  of  the  birds  are 
similar  to  Falco  peregrinus  anatum;  dimensions  of  the  eggs,  2.05x1.70,  2.12x1.65; 
grayish  white,  spotted  and  blotched  with  various  shades  of  reddish  brown  run- 
ning together  so  as  to  obscure  the  ground  color  of  one  of  the  eggs,  and  par- 
tially of  the  other;  in  form  rounded  oval. 

SUBGENUS  RHYNCHODON  NITZSCH.. 

B.  5,  6.     R.  414.     C.  503.     G.  192.     U.  356. 

132.  Falco  peregrinus  anatum  (BONAP.).     Duck  Hawk.    Resident;  not  uncom- 
mon.    Begin  laying  early  in  March.     Nest  in  natural  cavities  in  trees  and  on 
the  sides  of  rocky  cliffs,  without  lining.     Eggs,  three  or  four;  2.25x1.70;  gray- 
ish ochre,  spotted  and  blotched  with  reddish  and  dark  chocolate  brown,  running 
somewhat  together,  thickest  about  large  end;  in  form  subspherical  to  rounded 
oval. 

SUBGENUS  JESALON  KAUP. 

B.  7.     R,  417.     C.  505.     G.  193.     U.  357. 

133.  Falco  columbarius  LINN.     Pigeon  Hawk.     Migratory;  rare. 

B.  — .     R.  418.     C.  507.     G.  194.     U.  358. 

134.  Falco  richardsonii  RIDGW.     Richardson's  Merlin.     A  rare  visitant  in  east- 
ern, not  uncommon  in  western  Kansas. 

SUBGENUS  TINNUNCULUS  VIEILLOT. 

B.  13.     R.  420,  420a.     C.  508,  509.     G.  195.     U.  360. 

135.  Falco  sparverius  LINN.      American  Sparrow  Hawk.     Resident;  abundant. 
Begin  laying  the  first  of  April.     Nest  in  large  woodpecker  holes  and  natural 


26  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


cavities  in  the  limbs  of  trees,  but  little  or  no  material  used  for  lining.  Eggs, 
four  to  six;  1.33x1.12;  buffy  white,  specked,  spotted  and  blotched  with  light 
and  dark  brown,  the  markings  vary  greatly  in  size  and  number,  often  confluent 
and  so  thick  around  large  end  as  to  obscure  the  ground  color;  in  form  rounded 
oval. 

SUBFAMILY    PANDIONINyE.     OSPREYS. 

GENUS   PANDION   SAVIGNY. 

B.  44.     R.  425.      C.  530.     G.  196.     U.  364. 

136.  Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis  (GMEL.).     American  Osprey.     Summer 
resident;  rare.     Arrive   the  first  of  April.      Begin  laying  the  last   of   April. 
Nest  in  the  tops  of  trees  along  the  banks  and  old  channels  of  the  rivers;  are 
huge  structures,  made  of  large  sticks  interwoven  with  corn-stalks  and  weeds, 
and  lined  with  grasses.     Eggs,  two  to  four;  2.50x1.75;  buff  white,  spotted  and 
blotched  with  umber  and  reddish  brown  running  together,  thickest  at  large 
end;  also  a  few  markings  of  lilac;  in  form  elliptical. 

SUBORDER  STEIGES.     OWLS. 

FAMILY   STRIGID^l,     BARN   OWLS. 

GENUS  STBIX  LINN^IUS. 

B.  47.     R.  394.     C.  461.     G.  181.     U.  365. 

137.  Strix  pratincola  BONAP.     American  Barn  Owl.     Resident;   quite  common 
in  southern  Kansas.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  April.     Nest  in  cavities  of  trees, 
burrows  in  the  sides  of  banks,  crevices  in  rocks,  and  nooks  of  buildings.   Eggs, 
four  to  six;  laid  upon  the  debris,  pellets  of  hair,  and  other  remains  of  the 
birds'  food;    1.70x1.25;    cream  white;   occasionally  an  egg  will  show  markings 
of  pale  drab;  in  form  elliptical. 

FAMILY  BUBONID^.     HORNED  OWLS,  ETC. 

GENUS  ASIO  BKISSON. 

B.  51.     R.  395.     C.  472.     G.  182.     U.  366. 

138.  Asio  wilsonianus  (LESS.).     American   Long-eared   Owl.     Resident;   quite 
common.     Begin  laying  early  in  April.     Nest  in  trees  arid  bushes;   a  coarse, 
bulky  structure,  made  of  sticks,  and  sparingly  lined  with  grasses,  or  strips  of 
bark  and  feathers;  often  in  remodeled  hawks'  and  crows'  nests.     Eggs,  four  or 
five;  1.60x1.30;  white;  in  form  subspherical. 

B.  52.     R.  396.     C.  473.     G.  183.     U.  367. 

139.  Asio  accipitrimis  (PALL.).     Short-eared  Owl.     Resident;  common.     Begin 
.laying  the  last  of  April.     Nest  on  the  ground,  upon  the  open  prairies,  gener- 
ally in  the  tall  grass  on  the  bottom  lands,  and  often  beneath  a  low  bush, 
loosely  and  slovenly  constructed  of  grass,  with  occasionally  a  few  leaves  and 
feathers    on    the   bottom.      Eggs,   four    or    five;    1.55x1.24;    white;    in   form 
roundish. 


ORDER  RAPTOEES.  27 


GENUS  SYRNIUM  SAVIGNY. 

B.  54.     R.  397.     C.  476.     G.  184.     U.  368. 

140.  Syrnium  nebulosum  (FOBST.).     Barred  Owl.     Resident;  common.     Begin 
laying  early  in  March.     Nest  usually  in  natural  cavities  of  trees,  but  have  been 
known  to  breed  in  old  hawks'  nests,  upon  the  branches;   a  few  feathers  and 
leaves  constitute  the  lining.     Eggs,  three  or  four;  2.05x1.65;  white;  in   form 
subspherical. 

GENUS  NYCTALA  BKEHM. 

B.  56,  57.     R.  401.     C.  483.     G.  185.     U.  372. 

141.  Nyctala  acadica  (GMEL.).     Saw-whet  Owl.     Winter  so journer;  rare. 

GENUS  MEGrASCOPS  KAUP. 

B.  49.     R.  402.     C.  465.     G.  186.     U.  373. 

142.  Megascops  asio  (LINN.).     Screech  Owl.     Resident;  abundant.     Begin  lay- 
ing early  in  March.     Nest  in  holes  of  trees,  and  occasionally  nooks  of  buildings, 
lined  sparingly  with  grasses,  leaves  and  feathers.     Eggs,  four  to  six;  1.40x1.24; 
pure  white;  in  form  subspherical. 

GENUS  BUBO  CUVIEK. 

B.  48.     R.  405.     C.  462.     G.  187.     U.  375. 

143.  Bubo  virginianus  (GMEL.).     Great  Horned  Owl.     Resident;  common.     Be- 
gin laying  the  last  of  February.     Nest  in  natural  cavities  of  trees,  deserted 
nests  of  hawks,  and  on  the  plains  or  treeless  portions  of  the  State  in  fissures 
of  rocks,  scantily  lined  with  leaves  and  grasses.     Eggs,  three  or  four;  2.25x1.90; 
white;  in  form  subspherical. 

B.  — .  R.  405a.     C.  463.     G.  — .     U.  375a. 

144.  Bubo  virginianus  subarcticus  (HOY).     Western  Horned  Owl.     October 
29th,  1885, 1  shot  a  male,  in  the  timber  skirting  the  south  fork  of  Beaver  creek, 
in  Rawlins  county. 

GENUS  NYCTEA  STEPHENS. 

B.  61.     R.  406.     C.  479.     G.  188.     U.  376. 

145.  Nyctea  nyctea  (  LINN.).     Snowy  Owl.     Winter  visitant;  not  uncommon. 

GENUS  SPEOTYTO  GLOGEB. 

B.  58,  59.     R.  408.     C.  487.     G.  189.     U.  378. 

146.  Speotyto  cunicularia  hypogsea  (BONAP.).     Burrowing  Owl.     Resident; 
abundant  in  middle  and  western  Kansas.     Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of 
April.     Nest  in  holes  in  the  ground,  usually  in  deserted  prairie-dog  holes;  the 
end  of  the  burrow  is  enlarged  and  lined  with  grasses,  bits  of  manure,  or  most 
any  loose  soft  material  at  hand.      Eggs,  four  to  seven;  1.22x1.04;  pure  white; 
in  form  subspherical. 


28  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


ORDER  PSITTACI.    PARROTS,  MACAWS, 
PAROQUETS,  ETC. 

FAMILY  PSITTACIDJE. 

GENUS   CONTJBUS   KUHL. 

B.  63.     R.  392.     C.  460.     G.  180.     U.  382. 

147.  Conurus  carolinensis  (LINN.).  Carolina  Paroquet.  Formerly  a  common 
resident  in  eastern  and  southern  Kansas;  but  as  the  settlements  increased  along 
the  streams,  rapidly  diminished,  and  I  think  have  not  been  met  with  in  the 
State  for  several  years.  In  the  spring  of  1858  a  small  flock  reared  their  young 
in  a  large  hollow  limb  of  a  giant  sycamore  tree,  on  the  banks  of  the  Neosho 
river,  near  Neosho  Falls.  I  have  never  been  able  to  procure  their  eggs;  are 
said  to  be  two  or  three;  greenish  white. 


ORDER  COCCYGES.    CUCKOOS,  ETC. 

SUBORDER  CUCULI.     CUCKOOS,  ETC. 
FAMILY  CUCULID^3.     CUCKOOS,  ANIS,  ETC. 

SUBFAMILY   COCCYGINy^.     AMEKICAN  CUCKOOS. 

GENUS   GKEOCOCCYX  WAGLEE. 

B.  68.     R.  385.     C.  427.     G.  — .     U.  385. 

148.  Greococcyx  californianus  (LESS.).     Road-runner.     An  occasional  visitant 
in  western  Kansas.     Mr.  Charles  Dyer,  Division  Superintendent  of  the  Atchison, 
Topeka  &  Santa  Fe  Railroad  at  Las  Vegas,  New  Mexico,  writes  me  that  in 
September,  1884,  he  saw  two  of  the  birds  near  the  railroad,  and  about  fifteen 
miles  east  of  the  west  line  of  the  State,  and  that  he  has  seen  them  quite  often 
in  Colorado,  near  the  State  line.     The  birds  are  known  to  breed  as  far  east  as 
Las  Animas,  and  I  feel  confident  that  they  occasionally  breed  in  the  south- 
western corner  of  the  State,  a  natural  habitat  for  the  birds;  but  unsettled  and 
little  known,  especially  as  to  its  bird-life. 

GENUS   COCCYZUS   VIEILLOT. 

B.  69.     R.  387.     C.  429.     G.  178.     U.  387. 

149.  Coccyzus  americanus  (LINN.).     Yellow-billed  Cuckoo.     Summer  resident; 
common.     Arrive  the  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest  a 


OEDER  PICI.  29 


loose,  light,  flat  structure,  made  of  sticks  and  weeds,  with  at  times  a  little  grass 
for  lining,  placed  in  bushes,  grape-vines,  and  on  the  lower  branches  of  trees, 
from  five  to  fifteen  feet  from  the  ground.  Eggs,  three  to  five;  1.25x.90;  light 
bluish  green;  in  form  elliptical. 

B.  70.     R.  388.     C.  428.     G.  179.     U.  388. 

150.  Coccyzus  erythrophthalmus  (WILS.).    Black-billed  Cuckoo.    A  rare  sum- 
mer resident;  and  not  common  in  migration.     Arrive  the  first  of  May.     A  nest 
was  found  near  Paola  in  1863  by  Capt.  B.  F.  Goss,  and  at  Manhattan  in  1883  by 
Prof.  D.  E.  Lantz.     Nesting  habits  and  eggs  (which  are  a  little  smaller)  similar 
to  C.  americanus. 

SUBORDER  ALCYOJSIES.     KINGFISHERS. 
FAMILY   ALCEDINID.ZE.     KINGFISHERS. 

GENUS   CEBYLE   BOIE. 

SUBGENUS  STREPTOCERYLE  BONAPARTE. 

B.  117.     R.  382.     C.  423.     G.  177.     U.  390. 

151.  Ceryle  alcyon  (LINN.).     Belted  Kingfisher.     Summer  resident;  common;  oc- 
casionally lingers  into,  and  I  think  through,  the  mild  winters.     Begin  laying 
about  the  last  of  April.     Nest  at  the  end  of  burrows  which  the  birds  tunnel 
horizontally  into  the  sides  and  near  the  tops  of  perpendicular  or  steep  banks 
of  streams,  and  occasionally  into  the  sides  of  gravel  banks,  some  distance  from 
the  water;  are  usually  about  two  feet  in  depth,  but  have  been  known  to  extend 
over  fifteen  feet;  in  fact,  not  stopping  work  until  a  place  is  reached  where  they 
can  safely  rear  their  young  without  fear  from  falling  earth  or  pebbles.     At  the 
end  it  is  scooped  out  oven-shape,  for  the  nest,  which  is  sometimes  sparingly 
lined  with  grasses  and  feathers.     Eggs,  five  or  six;  1.32x1.05;  pure  white;  in 
form  oval. 


ORDER  PICI.  WOODPECKERS,  WRYNECKS,  ETC. 

FAMILY  PICID./E.     WOODPECKERS. 

GENUS   DRYOBATES   BOIE. 

B.  74.     R.  360.     C.  438.     G.  167.     U.  393. 

152.  Dry  obatesvillosus  (LINN.).    Hairy  Woodpecker.  Resident;  common.     Nests 
excavated  in  decaying  trunks  and  limbs  of  trees,  or  in  cavities  which  it  chips 
into  and  dresses  up  to  suit.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  April.     Eggs,  usually 
four;  .96x.73;  pure  crystal  white;  in  form  elliptical. 

B.  76.     R.  361.     C.  440.     G.  168.     U.  394. 

153.  Dryobates  pubescens  (LINN.).     Downy  Woodpecker.     Resident;  common. 
Nesting  habits  similar  to  D.  villosus.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  April.     Eggs, 
four  or  five;  .72x.58;  pure  crystal  white;  in  form  elliptical. 


30  BIRDS  OF  KAN 8 AS. 


GENUS   SPHYRAPICUS   BATED. 

B.  85.     R.  369.     C.  446.     G.  169.     U.  402. 

154.  Sphyrapicus  varius  (LINN.).     Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker.     Migratory;  rare. 
Arrive  about  the  middle  of  April. 

B.  86.     R.  369a.     C.  447.     G.  — .     U.  402a. 

155.  Sphyrapicus  varius  nuchalis  BAIKD.     Red-naped  Sapsucker.     Migratory 
in  western  Kansas;  rare.     I  killed  a  pair  out  of  three  young  birds  found  in 
the  willows  and  cottonwoods  thinly  skirting  the  south  fork  of  the  Smoky  Hill 
river,  at  Wallace,  October  12th  and  14th,  1883. 

GENUS  CEOPHLCEUS  CABANIS. 

B.  90.     R.  371.     C.  432.     G.  170.     U.  405. 

156.  Ceophlceus  pileatus  (LINN.).     Pileated  Woodpecker.     Not  an   uncommon 
resident  along  the  streams  in  heavily  wooded  bottom  lands.     Begin  laying 
about  the  first  of  April.     Nest  in  a  deep,  round  hole,  chipped  out  by  the  bird 
in  a  large  limb  or  trunk  of  a  high  tree.    Eggs,  four  or  six;  average  dimensions 
said  to  be  1.25x1.00;  pure  crystal  white;  in  form  elliptical. 

GENUS  MELANEBPES  SWAINSON. 
SUBGENUS  MELANERPES. 

B.  94.     R.  375.     C.  453.     G.  172.     U.  406. 

157.  Melanerpes  erythrocephalus  (LINN.).     Red-headed  Woodpecker.     Sum- 
mer resident;    occasionally  linger  into  the  winter.     Begin  laying  about  the 
middle  of  May.    Nests  in  holes  which  it  excavates  in  trees,  telegraph  poles,  and 
often,  for  want  of  a  better  place,  chips  into  church  steeples  and  the  cornice 
about  the  roofs  of  dwellings.     Eggs,   four  to  six;  1.04x.80;  pure  translucent 
white;  in  form  elliptical. 

SUBGENUS  ASYNDESMUS  COUES. 

B.  96.     R.  376.     C.  456.     G.  158.     U.  408. 

158.  Melanerpes  torquatus  (WILS.).     Lewis's  Woodpecker.     Reported  by  Prof. 
F.  H.  Snow  to  the  Academy  of  Science,  in  the  fall  of  1878:    "Taken  at  Ellis 
by  Dr.  Watson,  May  6th,  1878.     One  specimen  was  obtained  from  a  flock  of 

six  or  eight." 

SUBGENUS  CENTUBUS  SWAINSON. 

B.  91.     R.  372.     C.  450.     G.  171.     U.  409. 

159.  Melanerpes  carolinus  (LINN.).    Red-bellied  Woodpecker.    Resident;  abun- 
dant.    Begin  laying  early    in  April.      Nesting    place  excavated   in  decaying 
trunks  and  limbs  of   trees.     Eggs,  four  or   five;    1.05x.80;    pure   translucent 
white;  in  form  elliptical. 

GENUS   COLAPTES   SWAINSON. 

B.  97.     R.  378.     C.  457.     G.  174.     U.  412. 

160.  Colaptes   auratus    (LINN.).     Flicker.     Resident;   common.     Begin  laying 
the  last  of  April.     Nests  in  holes  excavated  in  dead  or  decaying  trunks  of 
trees,  and  occasionally  in  church  steeples  and  cornices  about  buildings.     Eggs, 
five  to  seven;  1.03x.84;  pure  pearly  white;  in  form  elliptical. 


OEDEE  MACEOCHIEES.  31 

B.  98a.     R.  378a.     C.  — .     G.  175.     U.  — . 

(  Colaptes  auratus  hybridus  (  BAIBD  )  RIDGW.  "  Hybrid  "  Flicker.  Dropped 
from  the  A.  0.  U.  list.) 

B.  98.     R.  3786.     C.  459.     G.  176.     U.  413. 

161.  Colaptes  cafer  (GMEL.).  Red-shafted  Flicker.  Resident;  rare  in  eastern 
Kansas.  Begin  laying  the  first  of  May.  Nesting  habits  and  eggs  similar  to 
C.  auratus. 


ORDER  MACBOCHIRES.    GOATSUCKERS, 
SWIFTS,  ETC. 

SUBORDER  CAPRIMULGI.     GOATSUCKERS,  ETC. 

FAMILY  CAPRIMULGID-ZE.    GOATSUCKERS,  ETC. 
GENUS  ANTROSTOMUS  GOULD. 

B.  112.     R.  354.     C.  397.     G.  163.     U.  417. 

162.  Antrostomus   vociferus    (Wits.).      Whip-poor-will.      Summer    resident; 
rare;  quite  common  in  migration.     Arrive  the  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the 
last  of  May.     Make  no  nest.     Eggs,  two,  laid  in  a  depression  on  the  ground, 
among  the  leaves,  in  thickets  and  heavily-wooded  lands;  are  said  to  average 
1.25x.88;    one   set,  all   I   have   to   examine,  measure   only  1.09x.80,  1.12x.78; 
cream  white,  irregularly  spotted  and  mottled  with  lavender  and  pale  brown;  in 
form  elliptical. 

GENUS  PHALJENOPTILUS  RIDGWAY. 

B.  113.      R.  355.      C.  398.      G.  164.      U.  418. 

163.  Phalaenoptilus  nuttalli  (Auo.).     Poor- will.     Summer   resident;   common. 
Arrive  early  in  May.     To  be  looked  for  on  the  high  prairies  and  rocky  grounds 
along  the  banks   of  streams.      Begin  laying  the  last  of   May.      Eggs,  two; 
1.05x.80;  white,  unspotted;  laid  upon  the  bare  ground,  in  the  thick  growths  at 
the  edge  of  the  timber;  also  at  the  roots  of  a  bunch  of  bushes  or  briers,  upon 
the  prairies;  in  form  elliptical. 

GENUS   OHOBDBILBS   SWAINSON. 

B.  114.      R.  357.     C.  399.     G.  165.     U.  420. 

164.  Chordeiles  virginianus  (GMEL.).     Nighthawk.     Summer  resident;   com- 
mon in  eastern  and  middle  Kansas.     Arrive  the  first  to  middle  of  May.     Begin 
laying  the  last  of  May.     Eggs,  two;  1.22x.82;  grayish  white,  thickly  mottled  all 
over  with  varied  tints  of  lilac,  purple  and  yellowish  brown;  are  laid  upon  the 
ground  on  the  prairies  in  bare,  open  and  exposed  situations;  in  form  ellip- 
tical. 


32  BIEDS  OF  KANSAS. 


B.  115.     R.  357a.     C.  400.     G.  166.     U.  420a. 

165.  Chordeiles  virginianus  henryi  (CASS.).  Western  Nighthawk.  Summer 
resident  in  middle  and  western  Kansas;  common.  Arrive  about  the  middle  of 
May.  Begin  laying  the  first  of  June.  Nesting  and  habits  similar  to  C.  viryini- 
anus;  the  latter  a  little  smaller  and  a  shade  lighter  in  color. 


SUBORDER   CYPSELI.     SWIFTS. 
FAMILY  CYPSELID^.     SWIFTS. 

SUBFAMILY   CH./ETURIN>*E.     SPINE-TAILED  SWIFTS. 

GENUS   CHJETURA   STEPHENS. 

B.  109.     R.  351.     C.  405.     G.  162.     U.  423. 

166.  Chsetura  pelagica  (LINN.).     Chimney  Swift.     Summer  resident;  abundant 
in  eastern  Kansas.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the 
latter  part  of  May.     Nests  attached  to  the  sides  of  chimneys  and  hollow  trees, 
a  semi-circular  structure  made  of  small  sticks  of  uniform  length  and  size,  which 
are  strongly  glued  together  and  fastened  to  the  wall  with  saliva  of  the  birds. 
Eggs,  usually  four;  .75x.50;  pure  white,  not  highly  polished;  in  form  long  oval. 

SUBORDER  THO  CHILI.     HUMMINGBIRDS. 
FAMILY   TROCHILID^l.     HUMMINGBIRDS. 

GENUS   TROCHILUS   LINN^US. 

SUBGENUS  TROCHILUS. 

B.  101.     R.  335.     C.  409.     G.  161.     U.  428. 

167.  Trochilus    colubris   LINN.     Ruby-throated  Hummingbird.      Summer  resi- 
dent; common.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the  last 
of  May.     Nest  usually  placed  on  and  attached  to  the  top  of  the  body  of  a 
small  horizontal  limb  of  a  tree,  six  to  twelve  feet  from  the  ground  —  a  delicate, 
beautiful  nest,  composed  of  a  cottony  substance,  and  soft  silky  fibers  from 
plants,  the  outside  dotted  over  with  lichens.     Eggs,  two;  .48x.33;  pure  white; 
in  form  elliptical. 


OEDEB  PASSEEES.  33 


ORDER  PASSERES.    PERCHING  BIRDS. 

SUBORDER  CLAMATORES.     SONGLESS  PERCHING  BIRDS. 
FAMILY  TYRANNID^.     TYRANT  FLYCATCHERS. 

GENUS  MILVULUS  SWAINSON. 

B.  123.     R.  301.     C.  367.     G.  149.     U.  443. 

168.  Milvulus  forficatus  (GMEL.).     Scissor-tailed  Flycatcher.    Summer  resident; 
quite  common  in  southern  Kansas.     Arrive  the  first  to  middle  of  May.     Begin 
laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest  on  the  horizontal  branches  of  scrubby  trees  on 
and  skirting  the  edge  of  prairies,  six  to  twelve  feet  from  the  ground;  a  rather 
flat,  loosely  constructed  nest,  composed  of  sticks,  flowering  stems  of  weeds 
and  grasses.     Eggs,  three  to  five;  .85x.68;  white,  spotted  and  blotched  with 
dark  red,  or  reddish  brown,  and  a  few  purple  stains,  chiefly  about  large  end; 
in  form  rounded  oval. 

GENUS  TYRANNUS  CUVIEE. 

B.  124.     R.  304.     C.  368.     G.  150.     U.  444. 

169.  Tyrannus  tyrannus   (LINN.).      Kingbird.      Summer    resident;    abundant. 
Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of 
May.     Nest  in  branches  of  trees,  growing  in  open,  exposed  situations,  six  to 
twelve  feet  from  the  ground;  a  rather  bulky,  flat  structure,  composed  of  stems 
of  weeds  and  grasses,  and  lined  with  hair-like  rootlets.     I  have  often  found 
woven  in  with  the  same,  bits  of  rags  and  twine.     Eggs,  four  to  six;  .90x.68; 
white,  thinly  spotted  with  purple  to  dark  reddish  brown;  in  form  oval. 

B.  126.     R.  306.     C.  370.     G.  151.     U.  447. 

170.  Tyrannus  verticalis  SAY.     Arkansas  Kingbird.     Summer  resident  in  mid- 
dle and  western  Kansas;  common.     Arrive  about  the  first  of  May.     Begin  lay- 
ing the  last  of  May.     Nesting  habits  and  eggs  similar  to  T.  tyrannus. 

GENUS   MYIARCHTJS   CABANIS. 

B.  130.     R.  312.     C.  373.     G.  152.     U.  452. 

171.  Myiarchus  crinitus  (LINN.).     Crested  Flycatcher.    Summer  resident;  abun- 
dant in  eastern  Kansas.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying 
about  the  middle  of  May.     Nest  in  natural  cavities  of  trees,  lined  with  grasses, 
feathers,  hair,  and  often  cast-off  skins  of  snakes.     Eggs,  four  to  six;  .83x.66; 
buff  white,  thickly  marked  with  wavy  longitudinal  lines,  dots  and  splashes  of 
purple  to  dark  reddish  brown;  in  form  oval  to  elliptical. 

3 


34  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


GENUS   SAYORNIS  BONAPABTE. 

B.  135.     R.  315.     C.  379.     G.  153.     U.  456. 

172.  Sayornis  phcebe  (LATH.).     Phoebe.     Summer  resident;  common  in  eastern 
Kansas.     Arrive  in  March.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  April.     Nest  under  bridges, 
overhanging  rocks,  roots,  and  suitable  places  in  dwelling  and  outhouses,  com- 
posed of  layers  of  mud,  moss,  grasses,  or  other  miscellaneous  material  at  hand, 
and  warmly  lined  with  fine  grasses,  rootlets,  or  hairs.     Eggs,  four  to  six ;  .75x.56 ; 
pure  white;  occasionally  sets  will  be  found  with  dots  of  reddish  brown  around 
large  end;  in  form  rounded  oval. 

B.  136.     R.  316.     C.  377.     G.  154.     U.  457. 

173.  Sayornis  saya  (BONAP.).     Say's  Phoebe.     Summer  resident  in  western  Kan- 
sas.    Arrive  the  first  of  May.     A  bird  of  the  plains.     Begin  laying  the  last  of 
May.     Nesting  habits  and  eggs  similar  to  S.  phosbe. 

GENUS    CONTOPUS   CABANIS. 

B.  137.     R.  318.     C.  380.     G.  155.     U.  459. 

174.  Contopus  borealis  (SWAINS.).     Olive-sided  Flycatcher.     Summer  resident; 
rare.     Arrive  about  the  middle  of  May.     Begin  laying  the  first  of  June.     Nest 
in  the  upper  branches  of  trees,  said  to  be  a  flat,  loose  structure,  composed  of 
twigs,  strips  from  bark  and  roots,  lined  with  dry  grasses,  fragments  of  moss 
and  lichens.     Eggs,  three  to  four;  .82x.62;  deep  cream  white,  marked  around 
the  large  end  with  purple  to  yellowish  and  reddish  brown;  in  form  oval. 

B.  139.     R.  320.     C.  382.     G.  156.     U.  461. 

175.  Contopus  virens  (LINN.).     WoodPewee.     Common  summer  resident  in  east- 
ern, rare  in  western  Kansas.     Arrive  the  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the  last 
of  May.     Nest  saddled  on  to  the  lower  limbs  of  a  tree,  from  eight  to  twenty- 
five  feet  from  the  ground,  composed  of  fine  stemlets,  lint-like  fibers,  rootlets, 
and  bits  of  cobwebs,  the  outside  coated  over  with  mosses  and  lichens  glued  to 
the  material  with  saliva  —  a  beautiful  cup-shaped  nest.     Eggs,  four  or  five; 
.73x.52;  cream  white,  spotted  and  blotched  with  lilac,  purple  to  dark  reddish 
brown,  chiefly  at  and  running  together  around  large  end;  in  form  oval. 

B.  138.     R,  321.     C.  383.     G.  157.     U.  462. 

176.  Contopus  richardsonii  (SWAINS.).     Western  Wood  Pewee.     Summer  resi- 
dent in  western  Kansas;  rare.     Arrive  about  the  middle  of  May.     Begin  laying 
the  first  of  June.     Nest  usually  in  the  forks  or  small  branches  of  trees,  from 
eight  to  thirty  feet  from  the  ground,  said  to  be  composed  chiefly  of  old  dead 
grasses  which  are  closely  woven  in  and  together  with  fine,  linty,  thread-like 
fibers.     Eggs,  in  color,  markings  and  size,  similar  to  C.  virens. 

GENUS  EMPIDONAX  CABANIS. 

B.  143.     R.  324.     C.  384.     G.  158.     U.  465. 

177.  Empidonax  acadicus  (GMEL.).     Acadian  Flycatcher.     Summer  resident; 
not  uncommon  in  eastern  Kansas.      Arrive  the  first  of  May.      Begin  laying 
early  in  June.     Nest  attached  to  the  forks  of  branches  of  trees,  six  to  twelve 


ORDER  PAS  SERES.  35 


feet  from  the  ground,  composed  chiefly  of  small,  soft,  flaxy  fibrous  strippings 
from  plants;  a  thin  and  not  very  compact  structure.  Eggs,  usually  three; 
.75x.54;  cream  white,  sparingly  spotted  with  reddish  brown;  in  form  oval. 

B.  140.     R.  325a.     C.  385.     G.  159.     U.  466a. 

178.  Empidonax    pusillus   traillii  (AUD.).      Train's    Flycatcher.      Migratory; 
common.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to   first  of  May.     Probably  breed  in  the 

State. 

B.  142.     R.  326.     C.  387.     G.  160.     U.  467. 

179.  Empidonax  minimus  (BAIED).     Least   Flycatcher.      Migratory;   not  un- 
common.    Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 


SUBORDER  OSCIKES.     SONG  BIRDS. 

FAMILY  ALAUDID^,     LARKS. 
GENUS  OTOCOBIS  BONAPABTE. 

B.  302.     R.  300.     C.  82.     G.  147.     U.  474. 

180.  Otocoris  alpestris  (LINN.).     Horned  Lark.     Winter  sojourner;  rare. 

B.  — .     R.  — .     C.  — .     G.  — .     U.  4746. 

181.  Otocoris  alpestris  praticola   HENSH.     Prairie  Horned  Lark.     Resident; 
common;  abundant  in  eastern  Kansas.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  March.    Nest 
in  a  depression  on  the  ground,  under  a  tuft  of  grass,  made  loosely  of  bits  of 
old  grasses,  and  occasionally  lined  with  hairs.     Eggs,  four  or  five;  .85x.62; 
grayish,  evenly  and  thickly  spotted  with  olive  brown;    in  form  oval.     Entered 
in  first  catalogue  as  0.  alpestris. 

B.  — .     R.  — .     C.  — .     G.  — .     U.  474c. 

182.  Otocoris   alpestris   arenicola  HENSH.     Desert  Horned  Lark.     Resident; 
common  in  middle  and  western  Kansas.     Begin  laying  early  in  April.    Nesting 
habits  and  eggs  similar  to  0.  alpestris  praticola.     Entered  in  first  catalogue  as 
0.  alpestris  leucolcema. 

FAMILY  COR-VID^E.     CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC. 

SUBFAMILY    GARRULINy^E.     MAGPIES  AND  JAYS. 
GENUS   PICA  BBISSON. 

B.  432.     R.  286.     C.  347.     G.  145.     U.  475. 

183.  Pica  pica  hudsonica  (SAB.).    American  Magpie.     An  occasional  fall  and 
winter  visitant  in  western  Kansas.     Included  as  a  former  resident  upon  the 
following  authority,  viz.:  Dr.  Lewis  Watson  writes  me  that  Mr.  Jeff  Jordan 
reports  that  while  herding  cattle  in  the  summer  of  1873  or  1874,  he  found  the 
birds  breeding  on  Brush  creek,  in  Graham  county  —  this  was  prior  to  the  set- 
tlement of  the  county.     From  inquiries,  I  cannot  learn  that  the  birds  have 


36  BIEDS  OF  KANSAS. 


been  seen  there  since  1875.  I  called  the  Doctor's  attention  to  this,  and  he  re- 
plies: "I  have  perfect  confidence  in  Mr.  Jordan's  statements,  and  know  that  he 
recognizes  the  birds  from  his  alluding  in  our  late  conversation  to  the  two  tamed 
ones  that  were  loose  in  Ellis  last  winter."  Begin  laying  early  in  April.  Nest 
along  the  streams  in  low  scrubby  trees  and  bushes,  from  six  to  fifteen  feet  from 
the  ground,  composed  of  sticks  and  twigs,  the  inside  plastered  with  mud,  and 
lined  sparingly  with  grasses  and  a  few  feathers;  upon  this  a  rough,  dome-like 
structure  of  sticks,  ingeniously  woven,  completely  covers  the  nest,  leaving  a 
small  hole  on  the  side  for  entrance.  Several  of  the  nests  that  I  found  in  Colo- 
rado had  two  openings,  and  opposite  to  each  other,  doubtless  to  make  room 
for  and  protect  the  long  tail  of  the  bird,  which  must  be  more  or  less  injured 
where  but  one  entrance  is  constructed.  Eggs,  six  to  nine;  1.30x.92;  light 
green,  thickly  specked  and  spotted  with  drab  to  purplish  brown;  in  form 
broadly  oval. 

GENUS   OYANOCITTA   STBICKLAND. 

B.  434.     R.  289.     C.  349.     G.  146.     U.  477. 

184.  Cyanocitta  cristata  (LINN.).     Blue  Jay.     Resident;  abundant  in  eastern, 
common  in  middle  Kansas.      Begin  laying  the  last  of  April.     Nest  on  the 
branches  of  trees  and  bushes  in  the  forests,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  dwellings, 
six  to  twenty  feet  from  the  ground,  composed  of  sticks  and  roots  strongly  in- 

v  terwoven,  and  lined  with  rootlets.     Eggs,  four  or  five;  1.10x.82;  olive,  spar- 
ingly spotted  with  drab  and  olive  brown;  in  form  oval. 

SUBFAMILY  CORVIN^E.     CBOWS. 

GENUS  CORVTJS  LINN^US. 

B.  423,  424.     R.  280.     C.  338.     G.  141.     U.  486. 

185.  Corvus  corax  sinuatus  (WAGL.).     American  Raven.     Resident;  rare;  not 
uncommon  in  western  Kansas.     Begin  laying  early  in  April.     Nest  on  the  sides 
of  high,  precipitous  cliffs   and  in  trees  —  a  coarse,  bulky  structure  of  sticks, 
and  lined  with  grasses,  hairs,  and  sometimes  bits  of  wool  and  moss.     Eggs, 
1.88x1.30,  light  greenish-blue,  thickly  spotted  and  blotched  with  purple  and 
blackish  brown,  in  some  cases  chiefly  at  large  end;  in  form  oval. 

B.  425.     R,  281.     C.  339.     G.  142.     U.  487. 

186.  Corvus  cryptoleucus  (Couon).     White-necked  Raven.     Resident  in  western 
Kansas;  rare;  quite  common  during  the  fall  and  winter.     Nesting  habits  said 
to  be  similar  to  the  American  Raven. 

B.  426.     R.  282.     C.  340.     G.  143.     U.  488. 

187.  Corvus  americanus  AUD.     American  Crow.     Resident;  abundant  in  east- 
ern but  not  common  in  western  Kansas.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  March  to 
first  of  April.     Nest  in  the  forks  of  trees,  in  groves  and  on  the  timbered  bot- 
tom lands,  thirty  to  seventy-five  feet  from  the  ground,  composed  of  sticks,  and 
lined  with  grasses,  hairs,  and  fibrous  strippings  from  plants  and  vines.     Eggs, 
four  or  five;  1.65x1.20;   light  to  dark  green,  irregularly  blotched  with  purple 
and  dark  brown,  usually  thickest  about  large  end;  in  form  oval. 


ORDER  PASSERES.  37 


GENUS  CYANOCEPHALUS  BONAPABTE. 

B.  431.     R.  285.     C.  345.     G.  144.     U.  492. 

188.  Cyanocephalus  cyanocephalus  (WIED.).    Pinon  Jay.    A  rare  visitant. 
Three  specimens  taken  October  23d,  1875,  near  Lawrence,  and  reported  by 
Prof.  F.  H.  Snow  in  his  catalogue  of  the  birds  of  Kansas. 

FAMILY   ICTERID-ZE.     BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC. 
GENUS  DOLICHONYX  SWAINSON. 

B.  399.     R.  257.     C.  312.     G.  129.     U.  494. 

189.  Dolichonyx  oryzivorus  (LINN.).     Bobolink.     Summer  resident;  very  rare; 
during  migration  quite  common.     Arrive  the  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the 
last  of  May;  nest  in  a  depression  on  the  ground,  in  the  grass  on  the  low  bot- 
tom lands,  composed  of  slender,  wire-like  stems  of  grasses.     Eggs,  four  or 
five;  .85x.63;  ashy -white,  evenly  specked  with  light  drab  to  grayish  and  reddish 
brown,  and  pale  surface  markings  in  the  shell;  in  form  oval. 

GENUS  MOLOTHRUS  SWAINSON. 

B.  400.     R.  258.     C.  313.     G.  130.     U.  495. 

190.  Molothrus  ater  (BODD.).     Cowbird.     Summer  resident;   abundant.     Arrive 
early  in  March  to  first  of  April.     Begin  laying  about  the  last  of  May.     Never 
build  a  nest,  but  drop  their  eggs  into  the  nests  of  smaller  birds;  do  not  try  to 
take  possession  by  force,  but  by  stealth,  during  the  absence  of  the  owners,  and 
as  the  birds  are  polygamous,  exhibit  no  conjugal  affections,  or  love  for  their 
offspring.     Average  dimensions  of  their  eggs,  which  vary  greatly  in  size,  .85x 
.65;  bluish  white,  thickly  spotted  and  specked  with  ashy  to  reddish  brown,  and 
occasionally  splashes  of  purple;  in  form  elliptical. 

GENUS  XANTHOCEPHALUS  BONAPABTE. 

B.  404.     R.  260.     C.  319.     G.  131.     U.  497. 

191.  Xanthocephalus  xanthocephalus  (BONAP.).    Yellow-headed  Blackbird. 
Summer  resident;  not  uncommon;  in  migration,  common.     Arrive  the  last  of 
April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest  in  reeds  and  rushes, 
composed  of  flexible  leaves  of  flags  and  grasses,  lined  with  a  finer  material  of 
the  same,  and  attached  to  and  woven  in  and  around  the  standing,  growing 
stalks.     On  the  first  of  June  I   found  quite  a  colony,  building  in   the  giant 
rushes,  of  the  genus  JUNCUS,  growing  in  ponds  along  Crooked  creek,  in  Meade 
county;  and  I  have  on  several  occasions  found  them  breeding  in  small  flocks, 
in  different  parts  of  the  State.      Eggs,  three  to  six;  .95x.74;  greenish  white, 
profusely  covered  with  spots  and  blotches  of  drab  and  purplish  brown;    in 
form  oval. 

GENUS   AG-ELAIUS   VIEILLOT. 

B.  401.     R.  261.     C.     316.     G.  132.     U.  498. 

192.  Ag-elaius  phceniceus  (LINN.).     Red-winged  Blackbird.     Summer  resident; 
abundant.     Arrive  in  March,  a  few  remaining  into  and  occasionally  through 


38  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


the  winter.  Begin  laying  early  in  May.  Nest  on  low  bushes  and  occasionally 
in  tussocks  of  grass,  on  wet  marshy  grounds,  a  rather  compact  basket-like  nest, 
composed  of  coarse  grasses,  weeds,  and  in  some  cases  bits  of  rushes,  fast- 
ened to  and  around  the  branches  upon  and  against  which  it  rests,  and  lined 
with  fine  grasses.  Eggs,  four  or  five;  .95x.70;  light  blue,  with  thick  zigzag 
markings  of  light  and  dark  purple  and  blackish  brown  around  large  end,  and 
a  few  spots  of  the  same  colors  scattered  over  the  egg;  in  form  oval. 

GENUS    STURNELLiA   VIEILLOT. 

B.  406.     R.  263.     C.  320.     G.  133.     U.  501. 

193.  Sturnella  magna  (LINN.).     Meadowlark.      Resident;   abundant  in  eastern 
and  middle,  rare  in  western  Kansas.     Begin  laying  early  in  May.     Nest  on  the 
ground  in  a  thick  tuft  of  grass,  composed  of  grasses  whic  hare  often  inter- 
woven so  as  to  form  a  cover  overhead.     Eggs,  four  to  six;   l.lOx.80;  white, 
finely  spotted  with  lilac  and  reddish  brown;  in  form  ovai. 

B.  407.     R.  264.     C.  322.     G.  134.     U.  5016. 

194.  Sturnella  magna  neglecta  (AuD.).    Western  Meadowlark.     Resident;  com- 
mon in  western  and  middle,  rare  in  eastern  Kansas.     Begin  laying  about  the 
middle  of  May.     Nest  and  eggs  similar  to  the  above  species. 

GENUS  ICTERUS  BKISSON. 
SUBGENUS  PENDULINUS  VIEILI.OT. 

B.  414.     R.  270.     C.  324.     G.  135.     U.  506. 

195.  Icterus   spurius   (LINN.).     Orchard   Oriole.     Summer   resident;    abundant. 
Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest 
suspended  from  twigs,  at  the  end  of  branches  of  small  trees,  along  the  banks 
of  streams,  and  in  orchards  and  gardens;  a  beautiful  hemispherical  nest,  made 
wholly  of  a  long,  slender,  wire-like  grass,  and  occasionally  bits  of  a  cottony 
substance,  neatly   and  ingeniously  woven   together  and  around  the  leaf -like 
twigs  that  support  it.     Eggs,  four  or  five;  .85x.60;  pale,  bluish  white,  thinly 
marked  with  specks  and  zigzag  lines  of  light  and  bluish  brown;  thickest  about 
large  end;  in  form  oval. 

SUBGENUS  YPHANTES  VIEILLOT. 

B.  415.     R.  271.     C.  326.     G.  136.     U.  507. 

196.  Icterus  galbula  (LINN.).     Baltimore  Oriole.     Summer  resident;   common. 
Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest 
suspended  from  the  extremities  of  branches,  (the  elm  appears  to  be  the  favor- 
ite tree,)  fifteen  to  forty  feet  from  the  ground;    a  compact,  strongly -woven, 
deep,  purse-like  structure,  composed  of  and  attached  to  the  twigs  from  which 
it  hangs,  with  flax-like  strippings  from  plants  and  vines,  and  lined  with  hair- 
like  stems  of  grasses;  when  in  the  vicinity  of  dwellings,  twine  and  thread  are 
used  largely  in  its  make-up.     Eggs,  four  or  five;    .92x.60;    pale,  bluish  white, 
with  a  rosy  hue  when  fresh,  marked  with  long,  waving  lines,  and  spots  of  pur- 
ple and  blackish  brown,  chiefly  at  large  end;  in  form  oblong  oval. 

B.  416.     R.  272.     C.  327.     G.  137.     U.  508. 

197.  Icterus  bullocki  (SWAINS.).     Bullock's  Oriole.     Included  on  the  authority  of 
Prof.  F.  H.  Snow,  who  enters  the  same  in  his  catalogue  of  the  birds  of  Kansas 


OEDEE  PASSEEES.  39 


as  "summer  resident;  occurs  throughout  the  State."     The  birds  have  not  come 
under  my  observation  in  the  State. 

GENUS   SCOLECOPHAGrUS   SWAINSON. 

B.  417.     R.  273.     C.  331.     G.  138.     U.  509. 

198.  Scolecophagus  carolinus  (MULL.).     Rusty  Blackbird.     Winter  sojourn er; 
common  in  eastern  Kansas.     Leave  in  March. 

B.  418.     R.  274.     C.  331.     G.  139.     U.  510. 

199.  Scolecophag-us  cyanocephalus  (WAGL.).     Brewer's  Blackbird.    An  oc- 
casional summer  resident  in  western  Kansas,  during  migration  common;  but 
rare  in  eastern  Kansas.     Arrive  early  in  the  spring.     Begin  laying  about  the 
20th  of  May.     The  nest  is  a  bulky  structure,  placed  in  the  forks  of  trees  and 
bushes,  from  three  to  thirty  feet  from  the  ground,  composed  of  sticks  inter- 
laid with  grass,  weeds,  and  tracings  of  mud,  and  lined  with  rootlets  and  hairs. 
Eggs,  four  to  six;  1.02x.74;  dull  greenish  white,  thickly  clouded  with  specks 
and  blotches  of  dark  reddish  brown;  in  form  oval. 

GENUS  QUISCALUS  VIEILLOT. 
SUBGENUS  QUISCALUS. 

B.  — .     R.  2786.     C.  336.     G.  140.     U.  5116. 

200.  Quiscalus  quiscula  seneus  (RIDGW.).    Bronzed  Grackle.    An  occasional 
resident  in  southern  Kansas;  abundant  in  summer.     Arrive  in  March.     Begin 
laying  about  the  middle  of  April.     Nests  saddled  on  to  horizontal  limbs,  or  in 
forks  and  in  excavations  of  trees,  along  the  streams  and  in  the  orchards  and 
shade  trees  about  dwellings;  a  large  and  rather  compact  structure,  composed 
of  coarse  grasses,  weeds,  blades  of  corn,  or  most  any  handy  material,  plastered 
together  with  mud  and  lined  with  fine  grasses,  sometimes  rootlets  and  hairs. 
Eggs,  four   to   six;    1.20x.85;    light  greenish  white,  irregularly  spotted  and 
marked  with  zigzag  lines  of  rusty  blackish  brown,  chiefly  about  large  end;  in 
form  rounded  oval. 


FAMILY  FRINGILLID.ZE.     FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC. 

GENUS   COCCOTHRATJSTES   BBISSON. 
SUBGENUS  HESPEBIPHONA  BONAPARTE. 

B.  303.     R.  165.     C.  189.     G.  83.     U.  554. 

2O1.  Coccothraustes  vespertina  (Coop.).      Evening  Grosbeak.      Migratory; 
rare. 

GENUS   PINICOLA  VIEILLOT. 
B.  304.     R.  166.     C.  190.     G.  84.     U.  515. 


2O2.  Pinicola  enucleator  (LINN.).    Pine  Grosbeak.    A  rare  winter  visitant. 


40  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


GENUS   CARPODACUS  KAUP. 

B.  305.     R.  168.  C.  194.     G.  85.     U.  517. 

203.  Carpodacus  purpureus  (GMEL.).     Purple  Finch.     Rare  winter  sojourner; 
in  migration  quite  common.     Leave  in  April. 

GENUS   LOXIA   LINN^US. 

B.  318.     R.  172.     C.  199.     G.  86.     U.  521. 

204.  Loxia  curvirostra  minor  (BEEHM).    American  Crossbill.     Irregular  win- 
ter visitant;  rare. 

B.  318a.     R.  172a.     C.  200.     G. .     U.  521a. 

205.  Loxia  curvirostra  Strickland!  RIDGW.     Mexican  Crossbill.     On  the  13th 
of  November,  1885,  Prof.  L.  L.  Dyche,  curator  of  birds  and  mammals,  State 
University,  shot   at  Lawrence   several  of  the  birds  out  of  a  small  flock,  and 
kindly  sent  me  a  pair — the  first  capture  of  the  birds  in  the  State.     On  the  21st, 
Prof.  D.  E.  Lantz  reports  the  killing  of  three  of  the  birds  out  of  a  flock  of 
twelve,  at  Manhattan;  and  Mr.  V.  L.  Kellogg  a  pair  out  of  a  flock  of  twelve,  at 
Emporia,  December  23d. 

B.  319.     R.  173.     C.  198.     G.  87.     U.  522. 

206.  Loxia  leucoptera  GMEL.     White-winged  Crossbill.     Irregular  winter  visi- 
tant; rare. 

GENUS   ACANTHIS   BECHSTEIN. 

B.  320.     R.  179.     C.  207.     G.  88.     U.  528. 

207.  Acanthis  linaria  (LINN.).     Redpoll.     Winter  visitant;  rare. 

GENUS    SPINUS   KOCH. 

B.  313.     R.  181.     C.  213.     G.  89.     U.  529. 

208.  Spinus  tristis  (LINN.).     American  Goldfinch.     Resident;  abundant.     Begin 
laying  late  in  June.     Nest  in  the  branches  of  trees  and  bushes,  generally  on 
apple  or  small  elm  trees,  from  six  to  twelve  feet  from  the  ground;  constructed 
of  and  firmly  attached  to  the  limbs  upon  which  it  rests  with  fine  hemp-like 
strippings  from  plants  and  bits  of  cottony  substances,  and  lined  with  hairs, 
and  now  and  then  a  feather.     Eggs,  four  to  six;  .65x.50;  pale  bluish  white; 
when  fresh  and  unblown,  with  a  rosy  hue;  in  form  oval. 

B.  317.     R.  185.     C.  212.     G.  90.     U.  533. 

209.  Spinus   pinus   (WiiiS.).     Pine   Siskin.     Winter  so  journer;   not  uncommon, 
May  29th,  1883,  I  shot  two  birds  out  of  a  small  flock  on  the  Smoky  Hill  river, 
near  Wallace.     From  their  actions  I  am  inclined  to  think  they  were  breeding 
there. 

GENUS  PLECTROPHENAX  STEJNEGEB. 

B.  325.     R.  186.     C.  219.     G.  91.     U.  534. 

210.  Plectrophenax  nivalis  (LINN.).     Snowflake.    Winter  visitant;  rare. 


ORDER  PASSERES.  41 


GENUS  CALCARIUS  BECHSTEIN. 

B.  326.     R.  187.     C.  220.     G.  92.     U.  536. 

211.  Calcarius  lapponicus    (LINN.).     Lapland  Longspur.     Winter  sojourner; 
abundant.     Leave  in  March. 

B.  327.     R.  188.     C.  221.     G.  93.     U.  537. 

212.  Calcarius  pictus  (SWAINS.).     Smith's  Longspur.     Winter  sojourner;  com- 
mon in  southern  Kansas.     Leave  in  March. 

B.  328,  329.     R,  189.     C.  222.     G.  94.     U.  538. 

213.  Oalcarius  ornatus  (TOWNS.).     Chestnut-collared  Longspur.     Not  an  uncom- 
mon resident  in  middle  and  northwestern  Kansas;  abundant  throughout  the 
State  in  winter.     Begin  laying  early  in  June.     Nest  on  the  ground,  on  the  high 
open  prairie,  composed  wholly  of  dry  mosses.     Eggs,  four  or  five;  .72x.56; 
grayish  white,  obscurely  mottled  with  pale  purple,  and  this  overlaid  with  spots 
and  splashes  of  dark  reddish  brown;  in  form  rather  pointed. 

GENUS  RHYNCHOPHANES  BAIBD. 

B.  330.     R.  190.     C.  223.     G.  95.     U.  539. 

214.  Rhynchophaiies  mccownii  (LAWB.).     McCown's  Longspur.     Winter  so- 
journer; quite  common  in  western,  rare  in  eastern  Kansas.     Leave  in  March* 

GENUS  POOCL33TES  BAIKD. 

B.  337.     R.  197.     C.  232.     G.  97.     U.  540. 

215.  Poocsetes  gramineus  (GMEL.).    Vesper  Sparrow.     Summer  resident;  rare; 
in  migration  common.     Arrive  the  last  of  March  to  first  of  April.     Begin  lay- 
ing early  in  May.     Nest  on  the  ground,  made  loosely  of  grasses,  and  lined  with 
horse  hairs.     Eggs,  four  or  five;    .75x.58;    pale  greenish  white,   specked   and 
blotched  with  various  shades  of  reddish  and  purple  brown;  on  some  the  mark- 
ings are  small,  chiefly  aggregated  around  the  large  end;  in  form  oval. 

GENUS  AMMODRAMUS    SWAINSON. 
SUBGEXUS  PASSERCULUS  BONAPARTE. 

B.  332.     R.  193o.     C.  227.     G.  96.     U.  542a. 

216.  Ammodramus  sandwichensis  savanna    (WILS.).     Savanna  Sparrow. 
An  occasional  winter  sojourner  in  southern  Kansas;   in  migration  abundant. 
Leave  in  April. 

B.  335.     R.  1936.     C.  229.     G.  — .     U.  5426. 

217.  Ammodramus  sandwichensis  alaudinus  (  BONAP.).    Western  Savanna 
Sparrow.     Migratory.     October  14th,  1885. 1  shot  one  of  the  birds,  a  male,  near 
"  Lake  Inman.''  in  McPherson  county,  and  saw  several  others.     I  am  inclined 
to  think  they  will  prove  to  be  quite  a  common  bird  in  the  western  part  of  the 
State,  but  they  so  closely  resemble  A.  sandwichensis  savanna  that  they  have  not 
been  noticed.     The  birds  are,  however,  considerably  smaller,  and  paler  in  color. 
A  bleached  race  of  the  plains. 


42  BIEDS   OF  KANSAS. 


SUBMENUS  COTURNICULUS  BONAPARTE. 

B.  338.     R.  198.     C.  234.     G.  98.     U.  546. 

218.  Ammodramus  savannarum  passerimis  (WILS.).    Grasshopper  Spar- 
row.    Summer  resident;  abundant.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 
Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest  on  the  ground,  usually  in  a  tuft  of  grass, 
made  of  old  grasses,  and  sometimes  lined  with  hairs.      Eggs,  four  to  six; 
.75x.60;    pure  white,    thinly  spotted  with  rich  reddish  brown,  thickest  about 
large  end;  in  form  rounded  oval  — almost  spherical. 

B.  339.     R.  199.     C.  236.     G.  99.     U.  547. 

219.  Ammodramus  henslowii  (Airo.).    Henslow's  Sparrow    .Summer  resident; 
rare.     Taken  in  a  pasture  near  Topeka,  April  26th,  1872,  by  Prof.  E.  A.  Pop- 
enoe,  who  has  seen  the  birds  since.     June  12th  I  noticed  a  pair  on  the  high 
prairies  in  Woodson  county.     They  nest  on  the  ground,  but  I  have  never  seen 
their  nests  or  eggs;  are  said  to  differ  but  little  if  any  from  the  "Grasshopper 
Sparrows." 

B.  340.     R.  200.     C.  237.     G.  100.     U.  548. 

220.  Ammodramus   leconteii  (AuD.).     Leconte's  Sparrow.    Migratory;  quite 
common.     Arrive  in  April. 

SUBGENUS  AMMODRAMUS. 

B. .     R.  201a.     C.  241.     G.  101.     U.  549a. 

221.  Ammodramus  caudacutus  nelsoni  ALLEN.    Nelson's  Sparrow.    Sum- 
mer resident;  rare.     Arrive  the  first  of  May.     Nest  on  the  ground.     I  have 
never  found  or  seen  their  nests  or  eggs. 

GENUS   CHONDESTES   SWAINSON. 

B.  344.     R.  204.     C.  281.     G.  102.     U.  552. 

222.  Chondestes  grammacus  (SAY).     Lark  Sparrow.     Summer  resident;  abun- 
dant.    Arrive  in  April.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest  usually  on  the 
ground;  but  occasionally  in  a  low  tree  or  bush,  composed  of  branching  stems 
of  weeds  and   grasses,  and  lined  with  fine   grass,  rootlets,  and  horse-hairs. 
Eggs,  four  or  five;  .80x.65;  grayish  white,  with  a  few  spots  and  zigzag  lines  of 
blackish  brown,  usually  thickest  around  large  end;  in  form  rather  rounded. 

GENUS   ZONOTRICHIA   SWAINSON. 

B.  348.     R.  205.     C.  280.     G.  103.     U.  553. 

223.  Zonotrichiaquerula  (NUTT.).     Harris's  Sparrow.     Winter  so journer;  abun- 
dant in  southern  Kansas.     Leave  as  a  whole  in  March;  but  a  few  have  been 
known  to  occasionally  linger  until  the  first  of  May. 

B.  345.     R.  206.     C.  276.     G.  104.     U.  554. 

224.  Zonotrichia  leucophrys  (FOEST.).     White-crowned  Sparrow.     Migratory; 
•    common.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

B.  346.     R.  207a.     C.  277.     G.  — .     U.  555. 

225.  Zonotrichia    intermedia    RIDGW.      Intermediate    Sparrow.      Migratory. 
Quite  common  in  the  middle  and  western  part  of  the  State.     Arrrive  the  last 
of  April  to  first  of  May. 

I 


OEDEE  PASSEEES.  43 


B.  349.     R.  209.     C.  275.     G.  105.     U.  558. 

226.  Zonotrichia    albicollis    (  GMEL,.).      White-throated   Sparrow.      Migratory; 
common.     Arrive  the  first  of  April. 

GENUS    SPIZELLA   BONAPABTE. 

B.  357.     R.  210.     C.  268.     G.  106.     U.  559. 

227.  Spizella  monticola  (GMEL.).     Tree  Sparrow.     Winter  so  journer;  abundant. 
Leave  in  March. 

B.  359.  R.  211.     C.  269.     G.  107.     U.  560. 

228.  Spizella  socialis  (WILS.).      Chipping  Sparrow.     Summer  resident;   com- 
mon.    Arrive  the  last  of  March  to  first  of  April.     Begin  laying  about  the  mid- 
dle of  May.     Prefers  to  nest  about  dwellings;  always  in  a  low  tree  or  bush, 
loosely  constructed  of  grass  and  rootlets,  and  lined  thickly  with  hairs.     Eggs, 
four  or  five;  .72x.56;  bluish  green,  thinly  spotted  around  large  end  with  pur- 
ple, light  and  blackish  brown:  in  form  oval. 

B.  360.     R.  212.     C.  272.     G.  108.     U.  561. 

229.  Spizella  pallida    (SWAINS.).      Clay-colored  Sparrow.      Migratory;  rare  in 
eastern,  common  in  western  Kansas.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

B.  358.     R.  214.  C.  271.     G.  109.     U.  563. 

230.  Spizella  pusilla(WiL8.).      Field  Sparrow.      Summer  resident;  quite  com- 
mon in  eastern  Kansas.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  lay- 
ing about  the  middle  of  May.     Nest  on  the  ground,  also  in  bushes  and  low 
trees;  usually  upon  the  ground  on  uplands,  and  in  trees  and  bushes  on  the  low 
bottom  lands;  loosely  constructed  of  weeds  and  grasses,  and  lined  with  hairs 
and  small  threads  like  stems  of  plants.     Eggs,  four  or  five;  .69x.52;  grayish 
white,  and  as  a  rule  finely  and  evenly  spotted  with  reddish  brown;  in  form 
oval. 

GENUS  JUNOO  WAGLEB. 

B.  —  .     R.  216.     C.  262.     G.  110.     U.  566. 

231.  Junoo  aikeni  RIDGW.     White-winged  Junco.     A  single  specimen  taken  at 
Ellis,  by  Dr.  L.  Watson,  November  8th,  1875,  who  now  reports  that  he  has  seen 
the  birds  since  on  several  occasions. 

B.  354.     R.  217.     C.  261.     G.  111.     U.  567. 

232.  Junco  hyemalis  (LINN.).     Slate-colored  Junco.     Winter  sojourner;  abun- 
dant.    Leave  the  first  of  March. 

B.  352.     R.  218.     C.  263.     G.  112.     U.  567a. 

233.  Junco  hyemalis  oregonus  (TOWNS.).     Oregon  Junco.    Winter  sojourner; 
rare  in  eastern,  quite  common  in  middle  and  western  Kansas.     Leave  the  first 
of  March. 

GENUS  PEUC^A  AUDUBON. 


B.  371.     R.  228.     C.  254.     G.  113.     U.  578. 

234.  Peucsea  cassini  (WOODH.).  Cassin's  Sparrow.  Summer  resident  in  mid- 
dle and  western  Kansas;  not  uncommon.  Arrive  the  first  to  middle  of  May. 
Begin  laying  about  the  tenth  of  June.  Their  favorite  resorts  and  breeding 


44  BIEDS  OF  KANSAS. 


grounds  are  on  the  barren  plains  that  are  dotted  over  with  low,  stunted  bushes; 
are  said  to  nest  in  bushes  and  on  the  ground,  and  that  their  eggs  are  pure 
white, 

GENUS  MELOSPIZA  BAIBD. 

B.  363.     R.  231.     C.  244.     G.  114.     U.  581. 

235.  Melospiza  fasciata  (GMEL.).     Song  Sparrow.     Resident  in  eastern  Kansas; 
rare  in  summer ;  common  during  the  winter  in  the  thickets  and  low  sheltered 
lands.     Begin  laying  about  the  first  of  May.     Nest  near  the  water,  usually  on 
the  ground,  under  a  tuft  of  grass,  but  occasionally  in  a  bush;  a  compact  nest, 
composed  chiefly  of  grasses,  and  lined  with  the  slender,  hair-like  stems.     Eggs, 
four  or  five;  .78x.59;  dull,  greenish  white,  spotted  and  blotched  with  reddish 
brown,  and  a  few  purplish  stains;  the  markings  are  pretty  evenly  distributed 
over  the  entire  egg,  in  some  cases  sparingly,  in  others  so  thick  and  confluent 
as  to  conceal  the  ground  color;  in  form  oval. 

B.  368.     R.  234.     C  242.     G.  116.     U.  583. 

236.  Melospiza    lincolni    (Aim.).      Lincoln's    Sparrow.      Migratory;    common. 
Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     To  be  looked  for  in  the  timber  and 
brush  skirting  the  streams.     June  16th,  1885,  I  shot  a  female  in  the  willows  on 
the  bank  of  the  Smoky  Hill  river,  near  Wallace.     No  signs  of  the  enlargement 
of  the  ovaries,  and  so  late  in  the  season,  was  led  to  think  the  bird  was  breeding 
there;  but  the  next  day,  after  a  faithful  search,  failed  to  find  either  her  nest 
or  her  mate. 

B.  369.     R.  233.     C.  243.     G.  115.     U.  584. 

237.  Melospiza  georglana  (LATH.).     Swamp  Sparrow.    A  rare  winter  sojourner 
in  eastern  Kansas;  common  during  migration.     Leave  in  April. 

GENUS   PASSERELLA   SWAINSON. 

B.  374.     R.  235.     C.  282.     G.  117.     U.  585. 

238.  Passerella  iliaca  (MEEK.).     Fox  Sparrow.     Winter  sojourner;  abundant  in 
eastern,  rare  in  western  Kansas.     Leave  in  March  to  first  of  April. 

B.  376.     R,  235c.     C.  284.     G.  118.     U.  585c. 

239.  Passerella  iliaca  schistacea  (BAIBD).     Slate-colored  Sparrow.     Included 
on  the  authority  of  Prof.  F.  H.  Snow,  who  enters  the  same  in  his  catalogue 
of  the  birds  of  Kansas,  as  "migratory;  rare." 

GENUS   PIPILO   VIEILLOT. 

B.  391.     R.  237.     C.  301.     G.  119.     U.  587. 

240.  Pipilo  erythrophthalmus  (LINN.).     Towhee.     Common  resident  in  east- 
ern Kansas.     Begin  laying  about  the  20th  of  May.     Nest  in  thickets  and  near 
the  edge  of  timber,  usually  on  the  ground,  but  occasionally  on  a  low  tree  or 
bush;  a  bulky  structure  composed  of  leaves,  twigs,  and  strippings  from  grape- 
vines, and  lined  with  small  stems  of  grasses  and  rootlets.     Eggs,  four  or  five; 
.94x.71;  grayish  white,  spotted  with  reddish  brown,  thickest  and  somewhat 
running  together  around  large  end;  in  form  elliptical. 


ORDEE  PAS  SERES.  45 


B.  393.     R.  238.     C.  304.     G.  120.     U.  588 

241.  Pipilo  maculatus  arcticus  (SWAINS.).     Arctic  Towhee.     Winter  so journer; 
rare  in  eastern,  common  in  middle  and  western  Kansas.     Leave  about  the  first 
of  May. 

GENUS   CARDINALIS   BONAPAETE. 

B.  390.     R.  242.     C.  299.     G.  121.     U.  593. 

242.  Cardinalis  cardinalis  (LINN.).     Cardinal.     Resident;  common  in  eastern, 
rare  in  western  Kansas.     Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  May.     Nest  in  low 
trees,  bushes  and  briers,  loosely  constructed  of  leaves,  grasses,  vine-like  stems, 
and  strippings  from  grape-vines,  and  lined  with  finer  grasses,  which  are  woven 
into   a  rather  compact  and  rounded  form.     Eggs,  three  or  four;  l.OOx.76; 
grayish  white,  irregularly  spotted  with  purple,  ash  and  reddish  brown,  thickest 
about  large  end;  in  form  elliptical. 

GENUS   HABIA   REICHENBACH. 

B.  390.     R.  244.     C.  289.     G.  122.     U.  595. 

243.  Habia  ludoviciana  (LINN.).     Rose-breasted  Grosbeak.     Summer  resident 
in  eastern  Kansas;  rare;  during  migration  common.     Arrive  the  first  of  May. 
Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest  in  small  trees  in  groves  and  near  the  edge 
of  timber  skirting  the  streams,  six  to  twelve  feet  from  the  ground,  generally 
toward  the  top  and  near  the  center  of  the  tree  —  a  coarse,  loosely-constructed 
nest,  made  of  twigs,  stems  of  weeds,  bits  of  old  leaves  and  rootlets,  and  lined 
with  a  finer  material  from  the  same.     Eggs,  three,  occasionally  four;  .96x.70; 
greenish  white,  spotted  and  blotched  with  reddish  brown;  in  form  oval. 

B.  381.     R.  245     C.  290.     G.  123.     U.  596. 

244.  Habia  melanocephala   (SWAINS.).       Black-headed  Grosbeak.      Summer 
resident  in  middle  and  western  Kansas;  quite  common.     Arrive  first  of  May. 
Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest  in  low,  shrubby  trees,  on  or  near  the 
banks  of  streams,  composed  of  twigs,  and  stems  of  weeds  or  grasses  loosely 
thrown  together,  and  lined  with  rootlets.     Eggs,  three  or  four;  l.OOx.68;  blu- 
ish white,  specked  and  spotted  with  rusty  brown,  usually  thickest  about  large 
end;  in  form  oblong  oval. 

GENUS  G-ULRACA  SWAINSON. 

B.  382.     R.  246.     C.  291.     G.  124.     U.  597. 

245.  G-uiraca  ceerulea  (LINN.).     Blue  Grosbeak.     Summer  resident;  quite  com- 
mon in  middle  and  western  Kansas.     Arrive  the  first  of  May.     Begin  laying 
the  last  of  May.     Nest  in  bushes  and  small  trees,  composed  of  coarse  fibrous 
strippings,  grasses,  old  leaves,  bits  of  newspapers,  and  other  fragmentary 
substances,  and  lined  with  hairs  and  rootlets.     One  taken  at  Wallace,  June 
16th,  1885.  was  built  close  to  the  body  of  a  willow  tree,  on  small,  twig-like 
branches,  about  seven  feet  from  the  ground;  outside  made  wholly  of  narrow 
strippings  of  the  inner  bark  of  dead  cottonwood  trees,  resting  on  a  founda- 
tion of  a  few  old  leaves  and  bits  of  newspapers,  and  lined  with  fine  bleached 
rootlets.     Eggs,  three  or  four;  .90x.65;  bluish  white;  in  form  oval. 


46  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


GENUS  PASSERINA  VIEILLOT. 

B.  387.     R.  248.     C.  295.     G.  125.     U.  598. 

246.  Passerina  cyanea  (LINN.).     Indigo  Bunting.     Summer  resident;  common 
in  eastern  Kansas.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the 
last  of  May.     Nest  in  low  bushes,  composed  of  leaves,  fibers  and  grasses,  and 
lined  with  the  finer  stems  of  grasses  and  horse-hairs.     Eggs,   four  or  five; 
.75x.58;  white,  with  a  faint  bluish  hue;  in  form  oval. 

B.  386.     R.  249.     C.  294.     G.  126.     U.  599. 

247.  Passerina  amcena  (SAY).     Lazuli  Bunting.     Summer  resident  in  western 
Kansas;  rare.     Arrive  the  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.    Nest 
like  the  "  Indigo  Bird,"  in  low  bushes,  and  of  the  same  material  and  make-up. 
One  found  May  26th,  1884,  in  a  canon  near  San  Diego,  California,  was  built 
near  the  ends  of  the  branches   of  a  bush,  about  four  feet  from  the  ground, 
and  composed  wholly  from  branching  stems  of  flowering  weeds,  and  lined 
with  the  finer  stems  of  the  same.     Eggs,  usually  four;  .75x.58;  bluish  white; 
in  form  oval. 

B.  384.     R.  251.     C.  292.     G.  — .     U.  601. 

248.  Passerina  ciris  (LINN.).     Painted   Bunting.     Summer  resident  in  south- 
western Kansas;  May  7th  to  18th,  1885,  I  found  the  birds  quite  common  in 
the  gypsum  hills,  near  the  State  line.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 
Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest  in  the  forks  of  bushes  and  low  trees,  com- 
posed of  grasses,  sometimes  of  leaves  at  the  base,  and  lined  with  the  finer 
grasses  and  hairs.     Eggs,  four  or  five;  .70x.53;  cream  white,  thinly  specked 
and  spotted  with  purple  and  reddish  brown,  thickest  about  large  end;  in  form 
rounded  oval. 

GENUS  SPIZA  BONAPABTE. 

B.  378.     R.  254.     C.  287.     G.  127.     U.  604. 

249.  Spiza  americana  (GMEL.).     Dickcissel.     Summer   resident;    abundant  in 
eastern  and  middle  Kansas.     Arrive  the  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the  last 
of  May.     Nest  on  the  ground  and  in  low  bushes,  usually  composed  wholly  of 
grasses.     Eggs,  four  or  five;  ,82x.64;  uniform  light  blue;  in  form  oval. 

GENUS   CALAMOSPIZA  BONAPABTE. 

B.  377.     R.  256.     C.  286.     G.  128.     U.  605. 

250.  Calamospiza  melanocorys  STEJN.     Lark  Bunting.     Summer  resident  in 
middle  and  western  Kansas.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May;  irreg- 
ular; some  seasons  rare,  others  common.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest 
in  a  depression  on  the  ground,  loosely  constructed  of  grasses  and  stemlets  of 
weeds,  and  lined  with  a  finer  material  from  the  same,  and  occasionally  hairs. 
Eggs,  four  or  five;  .85x.66;  light  blue;  in  form  rounded  oval. 

GENUS   PIRANGA  VIEILLOT. 

B.  220.     R.  161.     C.  154.     G.  81.     U.  608. 

251.  Piranga  erythromelas  VIEILL.    Scarlet  Tanager.    Summer  resident;  com- 
mon in  eastern  Kansas.     Arrive  the  last  of  April.     Begin  laying  about  the 


ORDER  PASSERES.  47 


20th  of  May.  Nest  on  horizontal  limbs  of  trees,  (occasionally  near  houses, 
but  as  a  rule  a  retiring  bird,  and  an  inhabitant  of  the  forest,)  a  flat  and  loosely 
constructed  nest  of  stems  and  strips  from  plants,  and  lined  with  fine,  hair-like 
fibers  and  rootlets.  Eggs,  four  or  five;  .90x.65;  pale  greenish  blue,  minutely 
spotted  with  reddish  brown,  and  occasional  markings  of  obscure  purple,  often 
aggregated  into  a  wreath  around  large  end;  in  form  oval. 

B.  221.     R.  164.     C.  155.     G.  82.     U.  610. 

252.  Piranga  rubra  (LINN.).  Summer  Tanager.  Summer  resident;  common  in 
eastern  Kansas.  Arrive  the  last  of  April.  Begin  laying  about  the  20th  of 
May.  Nesting  habits  similar  to  those  of  the  Scarlet  Tanager,  but  not  so  retir- 
ing. Eggs,  three  or  four;  .90x68;  light  emerald  green,  specked  and  spotted 
with  various  shades  of  purple  and  dark  brown ;  thickest  and  running  together 
around  large  end;  in  form  oval. 


FAMILY  HIRUNDINID^l.     SWALLOWS. 

GENUS   PROGrNE   BOIE. 

B.  231.     R.  152.     C.  165.     G.  75.     U.  611. 

253.  Prog"ne  subis  (LINN.).     Purple  Martin.     Summer  resident;  common.     First 
arrivals  the  last  of  March.     Begin  laying  about  the  last  of  April.     Nest  in 
boxes  and  gourds  erected  for  them;  also  in  deserted  woodpecker  holes  and 
cavities  in  trees ;  composed  of  various  materials  loosely  thrown  together,  such 
as  dry  grasses,  straws,  bits  of  strings,  etc.,  and  warmly  lined  with  feathers. 
Eggs,  four  to  six;  .97x.68;  cream  white;  in  form  oval. 

GENUS   PETROCHEL.IDON   CABANIS. 

B.  226.     R.  153.     C.  162.     G.  76.     U.  612. 

254.  Petrochelidon  lunifrons  (SAY).     Cliff  Swallow.     Summer  resident;  abun- 
dant.    Arrive  the  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  May.    Nest 
in  communities  against  the  side  of  vertical  rocky  cliffs  and  under  the  eaves  of 
buildings;  composed  of  mud,  and  lined  with  dry  grasses,  leaves,  and  feathers; 
when  in  exposed  positions  are  in  the  shape  of  a  retort,  with  entrance  to  pas- 
sage-way from  beneath;  but  under  the  eaves  or  in  sheltered  places  are  more 
globular,  and  without  the  long  necks.      Eggs,  usually  four;  .77x.56;   white, 
dotted  and  blotched  with  dark-reddish  brown ;  the  markings  varying  greatly 
in  size,  number,  and  distribution;  in  form  rounded  oval. 

GENUS   CHELLDON  FOESTEE. 

B.  225.     R.  154.     C.  159.     G.  77.     U.  613. 

255.  Chelidon  erythrogaster  (BODD.).     Barn  Swallow.    Summer  resident;  com- 
mon.    Arrive  in  April.     Begin  laying  about   the  middle  of  May.     Nest  at- 
tached to  outbuildings,   the  sides   of  rafters   in  the  barn,   and  in  unsettled 
portions  of  the  country  under  overhanging  rocks  and  in  cave-like  cavities; 
constructed  of  layers  of  mud  and  grasses,  and  lined  with  fine  grasses  and 
downy  feathers.     Eggs,  four  to  six;  .78x.55;  white,  with  spots  and  blotches  of 
dark-reddish  brown  and  purple,  chiefly  about  large  end;  in  form  long  oval. 


48  BIEDS  OF  KANSAS. 


GENUS   TACHYCINETA    CABANIS. 

B.  227.     R.  155.     C.  160.     G.  78.     U.  614. 

256.  Tachycineta  bicolor  (VIEILL.).     Tree  Swallow.     Summer  resident;  rare; 
in  migration  common.     Arrive  the  last  of  March.     Begin  laying  the  first  of 
May.     Nest  in  deserted  Woodpecker  holes,  natural  cavities  in  the  trees,  and 
occasionally  in  boxes  —  (I  once  found  one  in  a  fence  rail;)  is  loosely  con- 
structed of  fine  dry  grasses  and  leaves,  and  thickly  lined  with  downy  feathers. 
Eggs,  four  to  six;  ,78x.52;  pure  transparent  white;  in  form  rather  pointed 
oval. 

GENUS   CLIVICOLA   FOBSTEB. 

B.  229.     R.  157.     C.  163.     G.  79.     U.  616. 

257.  Clivicola  riparia  (LINN.).     Bank  Swallow.     Summer  resident;   common. 
Arrive  in  April.     Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  May.     Nest  in  communi- 
ties, in  holes  made  by  themselves  on  the  sides  of  perpendicular  banks,  usually 
near  the  top,  and  about  three  feet  in  depth,  but  in  gravelly  soil  have  been 
known  to  go  great  distances,  or  until  a  place  free  from  stones  overhead  has 
been  reached,  (this  is  evidently  to  prevent  injury  to  their  eggs,  or  young,  from 
falling  earth  or  pebbles,)  the  end  worked  out  oven-shape,  and  lined  with  fine 
grasses  and  feathers.     Eggs,  four  to  six;  .68x.45;  pure  white;  when  unblown 
have  a  rosy  hue;  in  form  oval. 

GENUS   STELGIDOPTERYX  BAIBD. 

B.  230.     R.  158.     C.  164.     G.  80.     U.  617. 

258.  Stelgidopteryx  serripennis   (Aur>.).     Rough-winged  Swallow.     Summer 
resident;  common.     Arrive  in  April.     Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  May. 
Nest  in  holes  in  banks  of  streams,  constructed  of  the  same  material  as  the 
Barn  Swallow,  but  not  so  deep  or  uniform,  and  often  in  crevices,  />ld  excava- 
tions, and  openings  from  various  causes.     Eggs,  five  or  six;   .70x.52;   pure 
white;  in  form  rather  long  and  pointed. 

FAMILY  AMPELID^.     WAXWINGS,  ETC. 

SUBFAMILY  AMPELINv^E.     WAXWINGS. 
GENUS  AMPELIS  LINNJSUS. 

B.  272.     R.  150.     C.  166.     G.  73.     U.  618. 

259.  Ampelis   garnilus    LINN.      Bohemian   Waxwing.      Winter   visitant;    very 

rare. 

B.  233.     R.  151.     C.  167.     G.  74.     U.  619. 

260.  Ampelis    cedrorum    (VIEILL.).      Cedar   Waxwing.      Resident;    irregular; 
some  years   abundant,   others  rare.     Begin  laying  about  the  20th  of  June. 
Nest  built  in  apple  and  other  low  trees,  sometimes  in  bushes;  a  bulky  struc- 
ture, composed  of  twigs,  stems  of  weeds,  grasses,  and  coarse  fibrous  strip- 
pings  from  vines  and  plants,  lining  the  same  sparingly  with  leaves  and  fine 
rootlets.     Eggs,  four  to  six;  .85x.60;  pale  clay-white,  with  an  olive  hue,  thinly 
spotted  with  purple,  and  light  to  very  dark  brown;  in  form  oval. 


ORDER  PASSEEES.  49 


FAMILY  LANIID^.     SHRIKES. 

GENUS  LANIUS  LINNJSUS. 

B.  236.     R.  148.     C.  186.     G.  70.     U.  621. 

261.  Lanius  borealis  VIEILL.     Northern  Shrike.     Winter  sojourner;  quite  com- 
mon.    Leave  in  March. 

B.  237.     R,  149.     C.  187.     G.  71.     U.  622. 

262.  Lanius  ludovicianus  LINN.      Loggerhead   Shrike.      Prof.  F.  H.  Snow,  in 
his  catalogue  of  the  birds  of  Kansas,  says:  "Several  typical  specimens  of  this 
southern  form  have  been  taken."     The  birds  so  far  have  not  come  under  my 
observation  in  the  State. 

B.  238.     R.  149a.     C.  188.     G.  72.     U.  622a. 

263.  Lanius  ludovicianus  excubitorides  (SWAINS.).    White-rumped  Shrike. 
Summer  resident;  common;  occasionally  linger  into  winter.     Arrive  early  in 
the  spring.     Begin  laying  early  in  May.     Nest  in  thorn  trees,  hedges   and 
briers,  composed  of  small  sticks  and  stems,  with  bits  of  leaves,  wood,  feathers, 
and  other  soft  fragmentary  substances,  sparingly  woven  in,  lined  with  fine 
stems  of  weeds  and  grasses,  and  in  some  cases  hairs.     Eggs,  four  to  six; 
1.02x.73;    dull,  yellowish   white,  spotted   and   blotched  with   ash-purple   and 
brown,  more  or  less  confluent,  thickest  around  large  end;  in  form  oval. 

FAMILY  VIREONID2E.     VIREOS. 

GENUS   VLREO   VIEILLOT. 
SUBGENUS  VIREOSYLVA  BONAPARTE. 

B.  240.     R.  135.     C.  170.     G.  64.     U.  624. 

264.  Vireo  olivaceus  (LINN.).     Red-eyed  Vireo.     Summer  resident;  abundant. 
Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  about  the  20th  of  May. 
Nest  pensile,  suspended  from  the  forks  or  twigs  of  forest  trees,  made  of  and 
fastened  to  and  around  the  limbs  with  lint-like  fibers,  shreds  from  weeds,  vines, 
bits  of  old  leaves,  spider-threads  and  cocoons,  woven  in  and  fastened  together 
with  saliva,  and  lined  with  hair-like  stems  and  rootlets;  to  be  looked  for  any- 
where from  the  lowest  branches  to  near  the  tops  of  the  tallest  trees.     Eggs, 
three  to  five;  .80x.56;  pure  white,  thinly  and  irregularly  specked  with  reddish 
brown,  chiefly  at  large  end;  in  form  oval. 

B.  245.     R.  139,  139a,     C.  174,  175.     G.  65.     U.  627. 

265.  Vireo  g-ilvus  (VIEILL.).     Warbling  Vireo.     Summer  resident;  common.     Ar- 
rive the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  about  the  20th  of  May. 
Nest  of  about  the  same  material  and  in  similar  positions  to  the  "  Red-eyed," 
but  not  so  retiring;  generally  build  in  the  vicinity  of  dwellings,  and  in  make- 
up more  smooth  and  compact.     Eggs,  four  or  five;  .75x.55;    crystal  white, 
sparingly  spotted  at  the  larger  end  with  light  and  dark  brown;  in  form  oval. 

4 


50  BIRDS  OF -KANSAS. 


SUBGENUS  LANIVIREO  BAIRD. 

B.  252.     R.  140.     C.  176.     G.  66.     U.  628. 

266.  Vireo  flavifrons  VIEILL.     Yellow-throated  Vireo.     Summer  resident;  quite 
common.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  about  the 
20th  of  May.     Nest  a  pendent  one,  like  all  of  the  Vireo  family,  but  readily 
distinguished  from  the  others  by  being  thickly  adorned  on  the  outside  with 
lichens,  never  very  high  from  the  ground,  and  in  rather  an  open  and  exposed 
situation.     All  that  I  have  found  were  in  the  timber  and  away  from  settlements, 
but  writers  in  the  Eastern  States  speak  of  them  as  a  familiar  bird,  nesting  in 
orchards  and  in  gardens,  which  I  have  no  doubt  will  be  the  case  here  wherever 
the  trees  and  shrubbery  around  our   prairie  homes  form  an  inviting  haunt. 
Eggs,  four  or  five;  .82x.58;  white,  with  a  very  few  scattering  spots,  chiefly  at 
large  end,  of  dark  rosy  brown;  in  form  oval. 

B.  250.     R.  141.     C.  177.     G.  67.     U.  629. 

267.  Vireo  SOlitarius   (WiLS.).     Blue-headed  Vireo.      Migratory;    rare.      Arrive 
first  of  May. 

SUBGENUS  VIREO  VIEILLOT. 

B.  247.     R.  142.     C.  185.     G.  — .     U.  630. 

268.  Vireo    atricapillus    WOODH.      Black-capped  Vireo.      Summer  resident  in 
the  gypsum  hills  in  southwestern  Kansas.     The  habits  of  the  birds  are  but 
little  known.     On  the  llth  of  May,  1885,  I  found  the  birds  building  a  nest 
near  the  head  of  a  deep  canon,  suspended  from  the  forks  of  a  small  elm  tree 
about  five  feet  from  the  ground,  hemispherical  in  shape,  and  composed  of 
broken    fragments    of   bleached   leaves,  with  here  and   there   an   occasional 
spider's  cocoon,  interwoven  with  and  fastened  to  the  twigs  with  fibrous  strip- 
pings,  threads  from  plants,  and  the  webs  of  spiders,  and  lined  with  fine  stems 
from  weeds  and  grasses;  above,  it  was  screened  from  sight  by  the  thick  foli- 
age of  the  trees,  but  beneath,  for  quite  a  distance,  there  was  nothing  to  hide 
it  from  view.     The  material  of  which  it  was  made,  however,  so  closely  resem- 
bled the  gypsum  that  had  crumbled  from  the  rocks  above,  that  the  casual 
observer  would  have  passed  it  by  unnoticed.     I  regret  that  I  could  not  stay 
for  the  eggs,  but  as  the  birds  are  quite  common  in  that  vicinity  (southeastern 
Comanche  county),  I  trust  that  before  another  season  passes  I  shall  be  able 
to  describe  the  eggs. 

B.  248.     R.  143.     C.  181.     G.  68.     U.  631. 

269.  Vireo   noveboracensis    (GMEL.).     White-eyed  Vireo.      Summer  resident; 
common.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  about  the 
middle  of  May.     Nest  on  low  bottom  lands   at  the  edge  of  the  timber,  in 
thickets,  suspended  in  a  small  open  space  from  grape  and  other  wild  running 
vines  and  briers,  two  to  four  feet  from  the  ground;  made  of  hemp-like  fibers, 
bits  of  old  leaves,  and  mosses  from  decaying  stumps  and  logs,  and  lined  with 
fine  stemlets  of  weeds  and  grasses.     Eggs,  four  or  five;  .73x.54;  clear  white, 
with  a  few  scattering  spots  of  purple  and  dark-reddish  brown  about  large  end; 
in  form  oval. 

B.  246.     R.  145.     C.  183.     G.  69.     U.  633. 

270.  Vireo  bellii  AUD.      Bell's  Vireo.     Summer  resident;  abundant.     Arrive  the 
last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest  in  hedges, 


ORDER  PASSERES.  51 


vines  and  small  thickets  on  or  at  the  edge  of  the  prairies,  suspended  with  and 
composed  of  fibrous,  lint-like  strippings  from  plants,  interwoven  with  bits  of 
old  leaves  and  other  fragmentary  substances,  and  lined  with  fine,  slender  stem- 
lets  from  weeds  and  grasses;  in  some  cases  lined  with  hairs.  Eggs,  four; 
.70x.51;  pure  white,  thinly  specked  or  dotted  around  large  end  with  dark- 
reddish  brown;  in  form  oval. 

FAMILY   MNIOTILTID^l.     WOOD- WARBLERS. 

GENUS   MNIOTILTA   VIEILLOT. 

B.  167a,     R.  74,  74a.     C.  91,  92.     G.  32.     U.  636. 

271.  Mniotilta  varia    (LINN.).     Black   and  White  Warbler.     Summer  resident; 
quite  common  in  eastern  Kansas.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 
Begin  laying  about  the  20th  of  May.     Nest  on  the  ground,  composed  of  strip- 
pings  of  plants,  grasses,  moss,  leaves,  and  the  inner  bark  from  decaying  trees, 
and  lined  with  fine  stems  of  grass  and  hairs;  occasionally  partially  roofed 
over.     Eggs,  from  four  to  seven;  measurement  of  a  set  of  five:  .66x.52,  .66x.52, 
.65x.51,  .64x.52,  .64x.50;  white,  speckled  with  umber  and  reddish  brown,  chiefly 
at  large  end;  in  some  cases  a  few  purplish  spots;  in  form  oval. 

GENUS   PROTONOTARIA  BAIBD. 

B.  169.     R.  75.     C.  95.     G.  33.     U.  637. 

272.  Protonotaria  citrea  (BODD.).     Prothonotary  Warbler.     Summer  resident ; 
common  in  eastern  Kansas^    Arrive  about  the  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the 
last  of  May.     Nest  in  Woodpecker  holes,  openings  or  niches  in  trees,  stumps, 
and  outbuildings,  on  the  banks  of  streams  and  ponds,  never  far   from  the 
ground,  composed  of  moss,  grasses,  dry  leaves,  lichens  and  even  bits  of  rotten 
wood  interwoven  with  fine  rootlets,  and  lined  with  hair.     Eggs,  four  to  seven ; 
.68x.56;  cream  white,  thickly  spotted  with  lilac,  purple  and  dark  brown,  thickest 
and  often  confluent  at  large  end;  in  form  elliptical. 

GENUS   HELMITHERUS   RAFINESQUE. 

B.  178.     R,  77.     C.  96.     G.  34.     U.  639. 

273.  Helmitherus  vermivorus  (GMEL.).     Worm-eating  Warbler.     Migratory; 
rare.     Probably  breed  in  the  State.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

GENUS  HELMINTHOPHILA  RIDGWAY. 

B.  180.     R.  79.     C.  98.     G.  35.     U.  641. 

274.  Helminthophila  pinus  (LINN.).     Blue-winged  Warbler.     Summer  resident; 
rare;  in  migration  common.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Nest 
on  the  ground,  generally  at  the  edge  of  low  thickets.     I  have  never  found  or 
seen  their  nest.      Audubon  says:    "It  is  singularly  constructed,  and  of  an 
elongate,  inversely  conical  form;  is  attached  to  several  stalks  or  blades  of  tall 
grass  by  its  upper  edge.      The  materials  of  which  it  is  formed  are  placed 
obliquely  from  its  mouth  to  the  bottom.     The  latter  part  is  composed  of  dried 
leaves,  and  is  finished  within  with  fine  grass  and  lichens."     Eggs,  four  or  five; 
.66x.50;    white,  thinly  specked  with  reddish  brown,  chiefly  at  large  end;   in 
form  oval. 


52  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


B.  183.     R.  85.     C.  106.     G.  36.     U.  645. 

275.  Helminthophila    ruficapilla    (WILS.).      Nashville  Warbler.      Migratory; 
rare.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

B.  184.     R.  86.     C.  107.     G.  37.     U.  646. 

276.  Helminthophila    celata    (SAY).      Orange-crowned  Warbler.      Migratory; 
common.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

B.  185.     R.  87.     C.  109.     G.  38.     U.  647. 

277.  Helminthophila   peregrina    (WILS.).      Tennessee  Warbler.      Migratory; 
common.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

GENUS   COMPSOTHLYPIS   CABANIS. 

B.  168.     R.  88.     C.  93.     G.  39.  U.  648. 

278.  Compsothlypis  americana  (LINN.).     Parma  Warbler.     Migratory;  com- 
mon.    Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     I  noticed  a  pair  in  the  latter 
part  of  July,  1879,  feeding  young  birds  in  the  tree-tops,  near  Neosho  Falls;  in 
flight  not  strong  enough  to  have  come  far,  and  I  am  inclined  to  think  the  birds 
occasionally  breed  in  the  State. 

GENUS   DENDBOICA   GBAY. 
SUBGENUS  DENDROICA  GRAY. 

B.  203.     R.  93.     C.  111.     G.  40.     U.  652. 

279.  Dendroica    sestiva    (GMEL.).     Yellow  Warbler.     Summer  resident;    abun- 
dant.    Arrive  in  April.     Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  May.     Nest  in  small 
trees  and  bushes,  giving  preference  to  orchards  and  shrubbery  in  gardens,  a 
neatly  constructed  nest  of  fibrous  strippings,  and  a  cotton-like  substance  from 
plants,  and  lined  sparingly  with  fine  grasses,  hairs,  and  now  and  then  a  feather. 
Eggs,  four  or  five;  .65x.50;  bluish  white,  with  specks  and  blotches  of  brown, 
umber  and  lilac,  irregularly  scattered  over  the  eggs,  thickest  around  large 
end;  in  form  oval. 

B.  194.     R.  95.     C.  119.     G.  41.     U.  655. 

280.  Dendroica  coronata  (LINN.).     Myrtle  Warbler.     An  occasional  winter  so- 
journer;  in  migration  abundant.     Leave  in  April. 

B.  195.    R.  96.     C.  120.     G.  42.     U.  656. 

281.  Dendroica  auduboni  (TOWNS.).     Audubon's  Warbler.     In  western  Kansas; 
migratory;  not  uncommon.     Arrive  early  in  the  spring. 

B.  204.     R.  97.     C.  125.     G.  43.     U.  657. 

282.  Dendroica  maculosa  (GMEL.).     Magnolia  Warbler.     Migratory;  rare.    Ar- 
rive the  first  of  May. 

B.  201.     R.  98.     C.  118.     G.  44.     U.  658. 

283.  Dendroica  cserulea  (WTILS.).     Cerulean  Warbler.     Summer  resident;  rare; 
in  migration  common.     Arrive  the  first  of  May.     Inhabit  and  nest  in  the  tree 
tops  on  the  timbered  bottom  lands.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest 
usually  placed  on  the  forks  of  small  branches,  twenty  to  sixty  feet  from  the 


OEDEK  PASSEKES.  53 


ground,  composed  of  fine  grasses,  moss,  and  bits  of  hornets'  nests,  interwoven 
with  spider-webs,  and  twined  with  soft  fine  strippings  from  plants,  the  out- 
side sparingly  dotted  with  lichens.  Eggs,  four  or  five;  .60x.47;  cream  white, 
with  a  few  reddish  spots,  chiefly  at  large  end;  in  form  oval. 

B.  200.     R.  99.     C.  124.     G.  45.     U.  659. 

284.  Dendroica  pensylvanica  (LINN.).     Chestnut-sided  Warbler.     Migratory; 
rare.     Taken  at  Leavenworth  in  May,  1871,  by  Prof.  J.  A.  Allen,  and  near  To- 
peka,  May  2d,  1873,  by  Prof.  E.  A.  Popenoe.     May  nest  in  the  State. 

B.  202.     R.  101.     C.  122.     G.  46.     U.  661. 

285.  Dendroica   striata  (FOBST.).     Black-poll  Warbler.     Migratory;  common. 
Arrive  the  first  of  May. 

B.  196.     R.  102.     C.  121.     G.  47.     U.  662. 

286.  Dendroica    blackburnise    (GMEL.).     Blackburnian  Warbler.     Migratory; 
very  rare.      Specimen  shot  at  Leavenworth,  May  4th,  1881,  by  Prof.    J.  A. 
Allen. 

B.  — .     R.  103a.     C.  130.     G.  48.     U.  663a. 

287.  Dendroica  dominica  albilora  BAIBD.     Sycamore  Warbler.     Summer  res- 
ident; rare.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the  last 
of  May.     Nest  in  the  trees  and  bushes,  composed  of  mosses  and  lichens,  and 
lined  with  fine,  soft,  fibrous  strippings  from  plants.      Eggs,   four;    .70x.52; 
white,  spotted  with  purple  and  brown;   aggregating  at  and  often  forming  a 
wreath  around  large  end;  in  form  oval. 

B.  189.     R.  107.     C.  112.     G.  49.     U.  667. 

288.  Dendroica  virens   (GMEL.).     Black-throated  Green  Warbler.     Migratory; 
rare.     Arrive  the  first  of  May. 

B.  198.     R.  111.     C.  134.     G.  50.     U.  671. 

289.  Dendroica  vigors!!  (Aim.).     Pine  Warbler.     Migratory;  rare.     Arrive  the 
first  of  May.     Probably  breed  in  the  State. 

B.  208.     R,  113.     C.  132.     G.  51.     U.  672. 

290.  Dendroica  palmarum  (GMEL.).     Palm  Warbler.    Migratory;  rare.   Arrive 
the  first  of  May. 

B.  210.     R.  114.     C.  127.     G.  52.     U.  673. 

291.  Dendroica  discolor  (VIEILL.).     Prairie  Warbler.     Summer  resident;  rare. 
Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest 
in  bushes  and  on  lower  branches  of  trees  in  open  or  thinly-wooded  lands,  two 
to  eight  feet  from  the  ground,  placed  in  upright  forks  of  the  twig-like  branches, 
made  of  leaves  and  strippings  from  plants,  and  lined  with  hair-like  rootlets. 
Eggs,  four  or  five;  .67x.49;  white,  thinly  spotted  with  lilac,  purple  and  brown; 
in  form  oval. 

GENUS   SEIURUS   SWAINSON. 

B.  186.     R.  115.     C.  135.     G.  53.     U.  674. 

292.  Seiurus  aurocapillus  (LINN.).     Oven-bird.      Summer  resident;  common. 
Arrive  about  the  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  May.     Nest 
on  the  ground,  generally  a  depression  among  the  leaves,  and  hidden  under  a 
low  bush,  log  or  overhanging  roots;  when  in   an  open  space,  roofed  over;  a 


54  BIEDS  OF  KANSAS. 


dome-like  structure  made  of  leaves  and  grasses,  with  entrance  on  the  side. 
Eggs,  four  or  five;  .80x.55;  white,  marked  around  large  end  with  dots  and 
blotches  of  reddish  brown  and  lilac;  in  form  rounded  oval. 

B.  187.     R.  116.     C.  136.     G.  54.     U.  675. 

293.  Seiurus  noveboracensis  (GMEL.).     Water-Thrush.     Migratory;  rare.     Ar- 
rive the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Possibly  breed  in  the  northern  part  of 
the  State. 

B.  188.     R.  117.     C.  138.     G.  55.     U.  676. 

294.  Seiurus  motacilla  (VIEILL.).     Louisiana  Water-Thrush.     Summer  resident; 
common.     Arrive  the  last  of  April.     Begin  laying  about  the  8th  of  May.     Nest 
on  the  ground,  under  projecting  roots,  old  logs,  and  fissures  in  rocks,  on  the 
banks  of  streams  and  ponds,  and  near  the  water's  edge,  composed  of  leaves 
and  mosses,  and  lined  with  fine  grasses,  fibers  and  hairs.     Eggs,  four  or  five; 
.78x.59;    white,  specked  with  reddish  brown,   thickest   around  large  end;    in 
form  oval. 

GENUS  GrEOTHLYPIS  CABANIS. 

SUBGENUS  OPOROBNIS  BAIRD. 

B.  175.     R.  119.     C.  140.     G.  56.     U.  677. 

295.  Greothlypis    formosa    (WILS.).      Kentucky  Warbler.      Summer    resident; 
common.     Arrive  the  last  of  April.     Begin  laying   about  the  20th   of  May. 
Nest  on  the  ground,  usually  on  the  banks   of   streams,  in   thick  growths  of 
small  trees;  outside  or  base  a  loose  structure  of  leaves,  stems,  and  wide  blades 
of  grass,  upon  which  a  more  compact  inner  nest  is  built  of  the  finer  grasses, 
stems  and  rootlets,  and  lined  with  horse  hair.     Eggs,  four  or  five;  .72x.53; 
white,  finely  dotted  with  reddish  brown,  chiefly  around  large  end;  in  form  oval. 

SUBGENUS  GEOTHLYPIS  CABANIS. 

B.  172.     R.  120.     C.  142.     G.  57.     U.  679. 

296.  Greothlypis  Philadelphia  (WILS.).     Mourning  Warbler.    Migratory;  rare. 
Arrive  the  last  of  April. 

B.  — .     R.  — .     C.  — .     G.  — .     U.  681a. 

297.  Greothlypis  trichas  occidentalis  BBBWST.    Western  Yellow-throat.    Sum- 
mer resident;  abundant.     Arrive  in  April.     Begin  laying  about  the  20th  of 
May.     Nest  usually  on  the  ground,  but  I  have  found  them  in  bushes,  two  or 
three  feet  from  the  ground,  composed  outside  loosely  of  leaves  and  grasses, 
inside  of  wire-like  stems  from  plants  and  rootlets  interwoven  together.    Eggs, 
four  to  six;  .68x.50;  clear  white,  spotted  and  blotched  with  reddish  brown  and 
purple,  thickest  around  large  end;  in  form  oval.     Entered  in  first  catalogue 
(No.  58)  as  G.  trichas. 

GENUS  ICTERIA  VIEILLOT. 

B.  176.     R.  123.     C.  144.     G.  59.     U.  683. 

298.  Icteria    virens    (LINN.).      Yellow-breasted  Chat.      Summer  resident;    com- 
mon.    Arrive  the  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  May.   Nest 
generally  in  thickets,  on  low  bushes;  outside  composed  of  leaves,  within  with 
layers  of  strippings  from  the  bark  of  grape-vines  and  weeds,  lined  with  fine 
grasses  and  fibrous  roots.     Eggs,  four  or  five;   .85x.66;    glossy  white;   finely 
spotted  with  a  rich  reddish  brown,  thickest  about  large  end;  in  form  elliptical. 


ORDER  PASSERES.  55 


B.  177.     R.  123a,     C.  145.     G. .     U.  683a. 

299.  Icteria  virens  longicauda  (LAWB.).     Long-tailed  Chat.     A  summer  resi- 
dent in  the  western  part  of  the  State;  not  uncommon.     Nesting  habits,  eggs 
and  actions  are  similar  to  those  of  the  Yellow-breasted;  but  note  and  song 
slightly  different.     The  birds  were  reported  by  Prof.  F.  H.  Snow,  in  vol.  6, 
page  38,  Transactions  of  the  Kansas  Academy  of  Science,  as  "  Taken  along 
the  Smoky  Hill  river  in  western  Kansas  by  S.  W.  Williston,  in  May,  1877;"  but 
by  oversight  omitted  from  first  catalogue.     Attention  was  immediately  called 
to  the  same.     (See  Bulletin  of  the  Nuttall  Ornithological  Club,  vol.  8,  page 
227.)      June  2,  1885,  I  shot  two  of  the  birds   on  Crooked  creek,   in  Meade 
county,  and  saw  several  others. 

GENUS    SYLVANIA   NUTTALL. 

B.  211.     R.  124.     C.  146.     G.  60.     U.  684. 

300.  Sylvania  mitrata  (GMEL.).     Hooded  Warbler.     A  summer  resident  in  east- 
ern Kansas;  rare.     Arrive  about  the  first  of  May.     Begin  laying  the  last  of 
May.     Nest  in  the  forks  of  low  bushes  on  bottom  and  marshy  lands,  composed 
of  leaves,  strippings   from  plants,  grasses,  and  a  cotton-like  substance,  and 
lined  with  fine,  hair-like  stems.     Eggs,  four  or  five;  .68x.50;  white,  spotted 
around  large  end  with  reddish  brown  and  a  few  purplish  stains;  in  form  oval. 

B.  213.     R.  125.     C.  147     G.  61.     U.  685. 

301.  Sylvania  pusilla  (WILS.).     Wilson's  Warbler.     Migratory;  quite  common- 
Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

B.  214,  215.     R.  127.     C.  149.     G.  62.     U.  686. 

302.  Sylvania  canadensis  (LINN.).     Canadian  Warbler.     Migratory;  rare.     Ar- 
rive the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

GENUS   SETOPHAGA   SWAINSON. 

B.  217.     R.  128.     C.  152.     G.  63.     U.  687. 

303.  Setophaga  ruticilla  (LINN.).    American  Redstart.     Summer  resident;  com- 
mon; in  migration  abundant.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin 
laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest  in  small  trees,  usually  six  to  ten  feet  from  the 
ground,  (but  I  have  found  their  nests  all  the  way  from  three  to  thirty  feet  from 
the  ground,)  usually  placed  within  and  woven  around  three  or  more  small  up- 
right branches,  composed  of  stems,  rootlets,  strippings  from  plants,  and  a 
soft,  fibrous,  cottony  substance,  which  is  worked  in  and  covers  the  outside; 
the  inside  is  lined  with  fine  stems,  hairs,  and  occasionally  a  few  feathers;  a 
neat,  compact  structure.     Eggs,  four;  .67x.50;  cream  white,  dotted  with  fine 
specks  of  reddish  brown  and  lilac,  thickest  and  running  together  around  large 
end;  in  form  oval. 

FAMILY   MOTACILLIDM.    WAGTAILS. 

GENUS   ANTHUS   BECHSTEIN. 
SUBGENUS  ANTHUS. 

B.  165.     R.  71.     C.  89.     G.  30.     U.  697. 

304.  Anthus  pensilvanicus  (LATH.).     American  Pipit.     Migratory;  quite  com- 
mon.    Arrive  about  the  first  of  April. 


56  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


SUBGENUS  NEOCORYS  SCLATER. 

B.  166.     K.  73.     C.  90.     G.  31.     U.  700. 

305.  Anthus  spragueii  (AUD.)    Sprague's  Pipit.    Migratory;  rare.    Arrive  about 
the  first  of  April. 

FAMILY   TROGLODYTID-ffi.     WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC. 

SUBFAMILY    MIMIN./E.     THBASHEBS. 

GENUS   MIMUS  BOIE. 

B.  253,  253a.     R,  11.     C.  15.     G.  7.     U.  703. 

306.  Mimiis  poly glottos  (LINN.).     Mocking  Bird.    Summer  resident;  becoming 
quite  common.    Arrive  the  middle  of  April  to  first  of  May.    Begin  laying  about 
the  20th  of  May.     Nest  in  small  trees,  thickets,  hedges,  and  in  various  loca- 
tions, often  near  houses ;  but  rarely  over  ten  feet  from  the  ground.     Outside 
loosely  constructed  of  sticks  and  weeds,  and  lined  with  fine  rootlets.     Eggs, 
four  or  five;  .99x.75;  light-greenish  blue,  spotted  and  blotched  with  yellowish 
to  very  dark  brown  and  purple;  thickest  about  large  end;  in  form  oval. 

GENUS   G-ALEOSCOPTES   CABANIS. 

B.  254.     R.  12.     C.  16.     G.  8.     U.  704. 

307.  G-aleoscoptes  carolinensis  (LINN.).     Catbird.     Summer  resident;  abun- 
dant in  eastern  Kansas.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  the  first  of  May.     Begin 
laying  about  the  middle  of  May.     Nest  usually  on  bushes  at  the  edge  of  small 
thickets;   composed  of  leaves,  weeds,  and  strippings  from  grape-vines  and 
stems  of  plants,  and  lined  with  rootlets.     Eggs,  from  four  to  five;  .94x.68; 
deep-bluish  green;  in  form  rather  pointed. 

GENUS  HARPORHYNCHUS   CABANIS. 
SUBMENUS  METHR1OPTERUS  REICHENEACH. 

B.  261,  261a.     R.  13.     C.  17.     G.  9.     U.  705. 

308.  Harporhynchus  rufus    (LINN.).      Brown    Thrasher.      Summer   resident; 
abundant.     Arrive  the  first  of  April.     Begin  laying  about  the  tenth  of  May. 
Nest  in  low  bushes,  vines  and  hedges — a  coarse,  bulky  structure  —  base  made 
usually  of  sticks,  roots  and  stems  of  weeds;  within  this  an  inner  nest  of  leaves 
and  strippings  from  plants,  lined  with  fine  rootlets  and  horse  hair.     Eggs, 
four  or  five;  1.06x.80;  ground  color,  white  to  light  green,  thickly  dotted  with 
reddish  brown,  sometimes  yellowish  brown;  confluent  around  large  end;  in 
form  rather  elliptical. 

SUBFAMILY    TROGLODYTIN>£.     WKENS. 

GENUS   SALPINCTES   CABANIS. 

B.  264.     R.  58.     C.  65.     G.  22.     U.  715. 

309.  Salpinctes    Obsoletus    (SAY).     Rock  Wren.     Summer  resident  in  middle 
and  western  Kansas;  common  in  suitable  locations.     Arrive  in  April.     Begin 


ORDER  PASSERES.  57 


laying  the  first  of  May.  Nest  in  crevices  in  rocky  ledges;  loosely  constructed 
of  weeds,  stoppings  of  plants,  grasses,  bits  of  moss,  wool,  hair;  in  fact,  any 
available  substance,  and  often  almost  wholly  of  one  kind.  Eggs,  four  to  nine; 
.74x.62;  crystal  white,  sparingly  specked  with  reddish  brown,  chiefly  aggregat- 
ing at  and  forming  a  wreath  around  large  end;  in  form  rather  oval. 

GENUS   THRYOTHOBUS   VIEILLOT. 

SUBGENUS  THRYOTHORUS. 

B.  265.     R.  60.     C.  68.     G.  23.     U.  718. 

310.  Thryothorus  ludovicianus  (LATH.).    Carolina  Wren.     Resident;  abundant 
in  eastern,  rare  in  western  Kansas.     Begin  laying  early  in  April.     Nest  in 
crevices  in  old  logs,  rocks,  and  outbuildings;  made  of  bits  of  twigs,  grasses, 
and  leaves,  and  lined  with  hair  and  a  few  feathers;  quite  bulky,  usually  filling 
the  space,  but  when  it  is  too  high  to  fill,  partially  roof  the  nest  over,  entering 
a  hole  in  the  side.     Eggs,  five  to  seven;  .74x.60;  white,  dotted  pretty  evenly 
and  thickly  over  the  surface  with  reddish  brown,  but  sometimes  thickest  and 
forming  a  confluent  band  around  the  large  end;  in  form  rather  oval. 

SUBGENUS  THRYOMANES  SCLATER. 

B.  267.     R.  61.     C.  71.     G.  24.     U.  719. 

311.  Thryothorus  Bewickii  (Auc.).    Bewick's  Wren.     Entered  in  first  catalogue 
as  "visitant  and  occasional  resident  in  southern  Kansas."     Further  examina- 
tion proves  the  specimens  I  have  captured  and  seen  to  be  variety  bairdi;  but 
as  I  am  not  the  only  one  that  has  reported  the  bird  in  the  State,  I  will  let  it 
stand  as  entered,  adding  that  in  my  opinion  the  birds   do  occasionally  enter, 
and  will  be  found  in  eastern  Kansas.     Nesting  habits  and  eggs  similar  to 
Baird's  Wren. 

B.  — .     R.  616.     C.  72.     G.  — .     U.  7196. 

312.  Thryothorus  bewickii  bairdi  (SALV.  &  GODM.).     Baird's  Wren.      Resi- 
dent; not  uncommon  in  southwestern  Kansas.     Nest  in  deserted  woodpecker 
holes,  hollow  logs,  or  any  nook  it  may  fancy;  composed  of  sticks,  roots,  straws 
and  grasses,  and  lined  with  fur  and  a  few  downy  feathers;  quite  bulky,  gener- 
ally filling  the  space,  but  in  no  case,  I  think,  roofed  over.     Measurements  of 
five  eggs,  taken  at  Corpus  Christi,  Texas,  May  9th,  1882:    .63x.50;    .63x.50; 
.63x.50;  .63x.49;  .62x.49;  white,  speckled  with  light  and  dark  shades  of  reddish 
brown,  thickest  around  large  end;  in  form  oval. 

GENUS  TROGLODYTES  VIEILLOT. 

SUBGENUS  TROGLODYTES. 

B.  271.     R.  63a.     C.  75.     G.  25,  26.     U.  721a. 

313.  Troglodytes  aedon  par kmanii  (AuD.).     Parkman's  Wren.     Summer  resi- 
dent;   common.     Arrive  in  April.     Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  May. 
Nest  in  holes  in  logs  and  stumps,  and  about  dwelling  houses  in  boxes,  enter- 
ing outhouses  through  crevices  and  knot-holes  —  in  fact,  most  anywhere;   I 
once  found  a  nest  in  the  skull  of  a  buffalo;    loosely  constructed  of  sticks, 
weeds,  etc.,  filling  the  cavities,  leaving  a  small  opening  for  entrance;  within 
the  rubbish  they  construct  an  inner  nest,  composed  of  finer  material,  lining 
the  same  with  feathers,  fur,  and  most  any  soft,  warm  substance.     Eggs,  seven 


58  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


to  nine;  .64x.49;  ground  color  white,  but  so  thickly  dotted  with  specks  of  red- 
dish brown  and  a  few  purple  slate  markings  that  the  white  is  concealed;  in 
form  oval.  In  color  and  habits,  a/ac  simile  of  the  House  Wren,  T.  aedon.  Our 
western  specimens  would  naturally  have  a  somewhat  faded  or  bleached  look 
when  compared  with  eastern  specimens,  but  I  do  not  think  that  this  alone  — 
so  slight  and  gradual  a  difference  —  should  entitle  it  to  rank  as  a  subspecies; 
but  I  bow  to  the  decision  of  the  A.  O.  U.  Committee,  and  drop,  as  a  Kansas 
bird,  T.  aedon  from  the  list. 

SUBGENUS  ANORTHURA  RENNIE. 

B.  273.     R.  65.     C.  76.     G.  27.     U.  722. 

314.  Troglodytes    hiemalis   VIEILL.     Winter  Wren.     Winter  sojourner;   rare. 
Leave  the  first  of  March. 

GENUS   CISTOTHORUS   CABANIS. 
SUBGENUS   CISTOTHORUS. 

B.  269.     R.  68.     C.  81.     G.  29.     U.  724. 

315.  Cistothorus   stellaris    (LIGHT.).     Short-billed  Marsh  Wren.     Migratory; 
rare.     Possibly  breed  in  the  State.     Arrive  in  May. 

SUBGENUS   TELMATODYTES  CABANIS. 

B.  268.     R.  67,  67a.     C.  79,  80.     G.  28.     U.  725. 

316.  Cistothorus  palustris  (WILS.).     Long-billed  Marsh  Wren.     Summer  resi- 
dent; rare;  in  migration  common.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 
Begin  laying  the  last  of  May.     Nest  sometimes  on  a  low  bush,  but  generally 
in  thick  standing  grass,  on  low,  wet  boggy  marshes;  made  of  leaves  from  the 
grasses,  woven  in  and  around  the  standing  growing  stalks;  a  globular  nest, 
about  five  inches  in   diameter,  with  a  small,  round  hole  on  the  side  for  en- 
trance,  lined  with  feathers  and  a  soft,  cotton-like  substance  from   plants. 
Eggs,  five  to  nine;  .63x.50;  ground  color  ashy  brown,  but  so  thickly  specked 
and  blotched  with  deep  chocolate  brown  that  some  specimens  appear  uniform; 
in  form  oval. 

FAMILY   CERTHIID.S1.     CREEPERS. 

GENUS   CERTHIA   LINNAEUS. 

B.  275.     R.  55.     C.  62.     G.  21.     U.  726. 

317.  Certhia  familiaris  americana   (BONAP.).     Brown  Creeper.     Winter   so- 
journer; common.     Leave  in  April. 

FAMILY  PARID-3E.     NUTHATCHES  AND  TITS. 

SUBFAMILY    SITTIN/E.     NUTHATCHES. 

GENUS    SITTA   LINNJEUS. 

B.  277.     R.  51.     C.  57.     G.  19.     U.  727. 

318.  Sitta  carolinensis  LATH.     White-breasted  Nuthatch.     Resident;  common. 
Begin  laying  about  the  last  of  April.     Nest  in  decayed  hollows  in  trees;  en- 


ORDER  PASSERES.  59 


trance  a  knot-hole  or  small  opening;  composed  chiefly  of  rabbits'  fur;  in 
some  cases  a  few  fine  grass  leaves  and  feathers.  Eggs,  four  to  seven;  .78x.58; 
rosy  white,  thickly  specked,  spotted  and  blotched  with  reddish  brown,  inter- 
mixed with  purple;  in  form  oval. 

B.  279.     R.  52.     C.  59.     G.  20.     U.  728. 

319.  Sitta  canadensis  LINN.     Red-breasted  Nuthatch.    Migratory;  rare.    Arrive 
in  March  to  first  of  April. 

SUBFAMILY  PARIN^E.     TITMICE. 
GENUS  PARUS  LINNAEUS. 

SUBGENUS  LOPHOPHANES  KAUP. 

B.  285.     R.  36.     C.  40.     G.  16.     U.  731. 

320.  Parus  bicolor  LINN.     Tufted  Titmouse.    Resident;  abundant  in  eastern  Kan- 
sas.    Begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  April.     Nest  in  deserted  woodpecker 
holes  and  natural  cavities  in  trees;  made  of  leaves  and  moss;  lined  with  a  fine, 
soft  fibrous,  cotton-like  substance,  and  hairs  from  cattle.     Eggs,  five  to  eight; 
.75x.54;  white,  sprinkled  with  rusty  red,  thickest  and  somewhat  running  to- 
gether around  large  end,  with  here  and  there  a  few  blotches  of  lilac;  in  form 
oval. 

SUBGENUS  PARUS  LINN^US. 

B.  290.     R.  41.     C.  44.     G.  17.     U.  735. 

321.  Parus  atricapillus  LINN.     Chickadee.     Resident;- common.     Begin  laying 

early  in  April.  Nest  near  the  ground  in  holes  made  by  themselves  in  decay- 
ing trees  and  stumps.  Composed  of  bits  of  moss,  interwoven  with  fur  and 
fine  hair,  and  occasionally  a  few  feathers.  Eggs,  four  to  eight;  .60x.47;  white, 
specked  with  reddish  brown  and  purple  stains,  generally  thickest  and  forming 
a  ring  around  large  end;  in  form  oval. 

B.  289,  289a.     R.  41.      C.  45.     G.  18.     U.  735a. 

322.  Parus  atricapillus  septentrionalis  (HABBIS).     Long-tailed  Chickadee. 
Resident;  rare  in  eastern  Kansas,  but  quite  common  in  the  western  part  of  the 
State  along  the  streams  where  skirted  with  trees  and  brush.     Nesting  habits 
and  eggs  (.63x.49)  similar  to  P.  atricapillus. 

FAMILY   SYLVIID-3S.     WARBLERS,  KINGLETS,  GNATCATCHERS. 

SUBFAMILY    REGULIN>£.     KINGLETS. 
GENUS   REG-ULTJS   CUVIEB. 

B.  162.     R.  33.     C.  34.     G.  15.     U.  748. 

323.  Regulus  satrapa  LIGHT.    Golden-crowned  Kinglet.    Winter  sojourner;  rare; 
in  migration  common. 

B.  161.     R.  30.     C.  33.     G.  14.     U.  749. 

324.  Regulus  calendula  (  LINN.).     Ruby-crowned  Kinglet.     An  occasional  winter 
sojourner;  in  migration  common. 


60  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


SUBFAMILY  POLIOPTILINy^E.     GNATCATCHEKS. 
GENUS   POLIOPTTLA   SCLATEB. 

B.  282.     R.  27.     C.  36.     G.  13.     U.  751. 

325.  Polioptila    ceerulea    (LINN.).     Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher.     Summer  resident; 
rare;  in  migration  common.     Arrive  in  April.     Begin  laying  the  first  of  May. 
Nest  in  the  branches  of  tree-tops,  fifteen  to  fifty  feet  from  the  ground;  usu- 
ally saddled  between  and  woven  to  upright  twigs,  a  beautiful  nest  composed 
of  stem-like  stemlets,  bits  of  leaves  and  feathers  woven  together  with  spider- 
webs,  lined  with  a  soft  downy  substance  from  plants,  and  thickly  dotted  on  the 
outside  with  lichens.     Eggs,  four  or  five;  .56x.44;  pale  greenish  white,  spotted 
and  blotched  with  reddish  brown,  lilac,  and  slate,  running  together   around 
large  end;  in  form  rounded  oval. 

FAMILY  TURDID-5C.     THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  STONECHATS, 
BLUEBIRDS,  ETC. 

SUBFAMILY    MYADESTIN/3E.     SOLITAIRES. 
GENUS   MYADESTES   SWAINSON. 

B.  235.     R,  25.     C.  169.     G.  12.     U.  754. 

326.  Myadestes   townsendii    (Auo.).     Townsend's    Solitaire.     An    occasional 
fall  and  winter  visitant  in  Western  Kansas. 

SUBFAMILY    TURDIN^E.     THBUSHES. 

GENUS   TURDUS  LINNJEUS. 

SUBGENUS  HYLOCICHLA  BAIRD. 
I 

B.  148.     R.  1.     C.  6.     G.  1.     U.  755. 

327.  Turdus  mustelinus  GMEL.     Wood  Thrush.     Summer  resident;  abundant 
in  eastern  Kansas.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Begin  laying 
about  the  middle  of  May.     Nest  usually  saddled  onto  a  horizontal  limb  of  a 
tree,  six  to  ten  feet  from  the  ground,  composed  outside  of  loose  stems   of 
weeds  and  leaves,  attached  to  a  closely  compact  body  of  pulverized  leaves, 
fibers  and  lint-like  substances  from  plants,  plastered  together  with  saliva  and 
tracings  of    mud,  and  lined  with  small  fibrous  roots.     Eggs,  three  to  five; 
l.OOx.75;  deep  blue  with  a  greenish  tinge;  in  form  oval. 

B.  151.     R.  2.     C.  7.     G.  2.     U.  756. 

328.  Turdus  fuscescens  STEPH.     Wilson's  Thrush.     Migratory;    rare.     Arrive 
the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May.     Probably  breed  in  the  State. 

B.  54.     R.  3.     C.  12.     G.  3.     U.  557. 

329.  Turdus  alicise  BAIRD.     Gray-cheeked  Thrush.     Migratory:  rare.     Arrive  the 
last  of  April  to  the  first  of  May. 


ORDER  PAS  SERES.  61 


B.  153.     R.  4a.     C.  13.     G.  4.     U.  758a. 

330.  Turdus  ustulatus  swainsonii  (CAB.).     Olive-backed  Thrush.     Migratory; 
common.     Arrive  the  last  of  April  to  first  of  May. 

B.  149.     R.  56.     C.  10.     G.  5.     U.  7596. 

331.  Turdus  aonalaschkae  pallasii  (CAB.).    Hermit  Thrush.     Migratory;  rare. 
Arrive  in  April. 

GENUS   MERTJLA   LEACH. 

B.  155.     R,  7.     C.  1.     G.  6.     U.  761. 

332.  Merula  migratoria  (LINN.).     American  Robin.     Resident;   abundant  in 
eastern  Kansas,  following  up  the  settlements,  and  breeding  throughout  the 
State.     Begin  laying  last  of  April.     Nest  in  trees,  hedges,  outbuildings  —  in 
fact  most  anywhere  off  the  ground  —  coarsely  constructed  of  leaves,  stems  and 
grasses  fastened  together  and  plastered  inside  with  mud,  and  lined  with  fine 
stems  and  rootlets.     Eggs,  four  or  five;  1.16x.80;  greenish  blue;  in  form  oval. 

B.  — .     R.  la.     C.  2.     G.  7.     U.  761a. 

333.  Merula  migratoria  propinqua  RIDGW.     Western  Robin.    A  rare  visitant 
in  western  Kansas.     October  12,  1883,  I  killed  two  of  the  birds  out  of  a  flock 
of  seven,  at  Wallace,  Kansas. 

GENUS    SIALIA   SWAINSON. 

B.  158.     R.  22.     C.  27.     G.  10.     U.  766. 

334.  Sialia  sialis  (LINN.).     Bluebird.     An  abundant  resident  in  eastern  Kansas, 
retiring  in  winter  to  the  thickets  along  the  streams.     A  rare  summer  resident 
in  the  western  portion  of  the  State,  but  increasing  with  its  settlements.     Begin 
laying  about  the  last  of  April.     Nest  in  bird-boxes,  holes  in  trees  and  posts, 
loosely  but  rather  smoothly  constructed  of  fine  grasses,  with  occasionally 
leaves,  hairs,  and  a  few  feathers.     Eggs,  four  or  five;  .83x.66;  light  blue;  in 
form  oval. 

B.  160.     R.  24.     C.  29.     G.  11.     U.  768. 

335.  Sialia  arctica  (SWAINS.).     Mountain  Bluebird.     Winter  sojourner;  rare  in 
eastern  Kansas. 


ENGLISH  SPARROW. 

EUROPEAN  HOUSE  SPARROW— Passer  domesticus  (Linn.).    LEACH. 


In  the  Catalogue  of  1883  I  briefly  expressed  my  views  in  regard  to  this 
bird  as  follows : 

"  The  introduction  of  these  hardy,  aggressive  little  foreigners,  with  a  view  to  their 
naturalization,  has  proved  a  decided  success,  and  is  therefore  no  longer  a  question  of 
survival,  but  rather  one  as  to  whether  the  good  they  may  do  will  overbalance  the 
harm.  In  this  discussion  the  birds  will  have  their  friends,  but  as  a  whole,  those  that 
know  them  best  can  but  look  forward  with  alarm  at  their  rapid  increase  and  spread. 
They  cannot  properly  be  classed  with  our  native  birds,  but  as  they  have  come  to  stay, 
are  entitled  to  a  place  or  mention  in  our  catalogues." 

I  am  now  able  to  lay  before  the  reader  the  conclusions  reached  by  the 
American  Ornithologists'  Union.  At  a  meeting  of  the  society,  convened  in 
the  city  of  New  York,  September  26,  1883,  a  committee  was  appointed  "to 
investigate  the  eligibility  or  ineligibility  of  the  European  House  Sparrow." 
The  following  is  the  final  report  of  the  committee,  as  approved  and  adopted 
by  the  council  of  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union,  at  Washington, 
April  21st,  1885 : 

Mr.  President,  and  Members  of  the  Union :  — Your  committee  appointed  to  inquire 
into  the  eligibility  of  the  European  house  sparrow  (Passer  domesticus)  as  a  natural- 
ized resident  in  this  country,  has  the  honor  herewith  to  submit  its  report.  After  due 
consideration,  your  committee  adopted  the  following  form  of  circular  letter,  which 
was  framed  to  elicit  information  from  all  quarters  and  from  all  interested  persons: 

The  American  Ornithologists'  Union,  an  organization  resembling  the  British  association  of  similar 
name,  and  including  in  its  active  membership  the  most  prominent  ornithologists  of  the  United  States 
and  Canada,  purposes,  among  other  objects  already  engaging  its  attention,  to  determine  as  nearly  as 
possible  the  true  status  in  America  of  the  European  house  sparrow  (Passer  domesticus),  commonly  known 
as  the  English  sparrow,  in  so  far  as  the  relations  of  this  bird  to  mankind  are  concerned.  The  Union 
hopes  to  secure  through  the  solicited  testimony  of  others,  as  well  as  the  personal  observations  of  its 
members,  the  facts  necessary  to  settle  the  question  of  the  eligibility  or  ineligibility  of  this  sparrow  as 
a  naturalized  resident  of  this  country.  The  question  of  the  European  house  sparrow  in  America  is 
regarded  as  one  of  great  economic  consequence,  to  be  determined  primarily  by  ascertaining  whether 
this  bird  be,  upon  the  whole,  directly  or  indirectly  injurious  or  beneficial  to  agriculture  and  horticul- 
ture. Its  economic  relations  depend  directly  and  mainly  upon  the  nature  of  its  food ;  indirectly  upon 
the  effect,  if  any,  which  its  presence  may  have  on  useful  native  birds  and  beneficial  insects.  The  ac- 
companying formula  of  questions  is  respectfully  submitted  to  the  attention  of  those  who  may  be  able 
and  willing  to  record  statements  of  positive  facts  and  value  derived  from  their  own  experience.  Con- 
cise and  unquestionable  answers  returned  to  the  undersigned  on  inclosed  blank,  or  otherwise,  or  com- 
municated to  any  member  of  the  committee,  will  be  appreciated,  and  prove  of  high  value  among  the 
data  upon  which  it  is  hoped  that  this  vexed  question  may  be  set  at  rest.  The  evidence  thus  obtained 
will  be  carefully  considered  by  the  committee  in  preparing  its  report  to  the  Council  of  the  Union,  and 
a  digest  of  the  same,  with  recommendations,  if  any,  will  be  submitted  by  the  Council  to  the  mature 
judgment  of  the  Union  at  its  next  annual  meeting.  The  following-named  active  members  of  the  Union 
were,  at  the  first  congress,  appointed  a  committee  to  investigate  and  report  upon  this  subject :  Dr.  J.  B. 

(63) 


64  BIEDS  OF  KANSAS. 


Holder,  of  New  York,  chairman;  Mr.  Eugene  P.  Bicknell,  of  New  York;  Mr.  H.  A.  Purdie,  of  Boston, 
Mass.;  Mr.  Nathan  Clifford  Brown,  of  Portland,  Me.;  Mr.  Montague  Chamberlain,  of  St.  John,  New 
Brunswick ;  the  committee  having  the  power  of  increasing  its  membership  at  its  discretion. 

DR.  J.  B.  HOLDER,  Chairman. 
AMERICAN  MUSEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY,  Central  Park,  New  York  City,  Feb.  2,  1884. 

DATA  CONCERNING  THE  EUROPEAN  HOUSE  SPARROW,  FROM 

1.  Is  the  European  house  sparrow  (Passer  domesticus)  known  in  your  neighborhood,  and  if  so,  about 
when  did  it  appear?  2.  Is  your  neighborhood  city,  suburbs,  or  country?  3.  Is  this  sparrow  abundant? 
4.  Is  it  increasing  in  numbers?  5.  How  many  broods  and  young,  yearly,  to  a  pair?  6.  Is  this  sparrow 
protected  by  law?  7.  Is  it  artificially  fed  and  housed?  8.  Does  it  molest,  drive  away  or  diminish  the 
numbers  of  native  birds?  9.  If  so,  what  species?  10.  Does  this  sparrow  injure  shade,  fruit  or  orna- 
mental trees?  11.  Does  it  attack  or  injure  garden  fruits  and  vegetables?  12.  Does  it  injure  grain 
crops?  13.  Is  it  an  insect-eater  or  a  seed-eater?  14.  What  insects,  if  any,  are  chiefly  eaten  by  this 
sparrow?  15.  What  is  the  principal  food  it  carries  to  its  young?  16.  What  insects,  if  any,  are  carried 
by  it  to  its  young?  17.  Does  the  food  of  the  old  bird  vary  with  the  seasons,  and  if  so,  in  what  way? 
18.  Does  the  food  of  its  young  vary,  and  if  so,  how?  19.  If  any  insects  are  eateh,  are  they  beneficial  or 
injurious  species?  20.  Does  the  sparrow  eat  the  larvae  of  the  vaporer  moth  (Orzvia  leucostigma)? 
21.  Does  it  eat  ichneumon  flies?  22.  Do  you  determine  the  nature  of  this  bird's  food  and  that  furnished 
by  it  to  its  young,  by  inference,  direct  observation,  or  dissection?  23.  Have  any  injurious  insects  been 
exterminated  or  materially  lessened  in  numbers  by  this  sparrow?  24.  Have  any  injurious  insects  in- 
creased in  numbers,  or  appeared  where  unknown  before,  in  consequence  of  the  destruction  of  other 
insects  by  this  sparrow?  25.  Have  these  sparrows  in  your  neighborhood  been  destroyed  systematically 
or  otherwise,  and  if  so,  by  what  means?  26.  What  bounty,  if  any,  has  been  offered  for  their  destruc- 
tion? 27.  What  is  the  general  sentiment  or  balance  of  public  opinion  respecting  the  European  house 
sparrow  in  your  locality?  28.  On  the  whole,  in  your  judgment,  is  this  sparrow  an  eligible  or  ineligible 
species  in  this  country  ? 

In  order  to  secure  a  thorough  presentation  of  the  subject  to  those  most  likely  to 
respond  satisfactorily,  each  member  of  the  committee  assumed  the  duties  of  corre- 
spondence in  his  own  section  of  the  country,  as  well  as  in  certain  allotted  sections  of 
the  entire  United  States  and  Canada.  Copies  of  the  letter  were  sent  to  the  agricul- 
tural papers,  to  the  various  journals  having  columns  devoted  to  zoological  and  rural 
matters,  and  to  the  press  at  large.  The  greater  part,  however,  was  directed  to  indi- 
viduals believed  to  possess  facts  pertinent  to  the  subject.  About  one  thousand  copies 
were  thus  sent  out. 

A  large  proportion  of  the  answers  received  are  of  one  import,  written  by  persons 
having  no  definite  data  to  communicate,  but  who,  having  experienced  annoyance 
from  the  bird's  uncleanliness  and  unmusical  notes,  desire  to  see  it  exterminated. 
Under  this  head  belong  the  numerous  petitions  which  have  reached  us  from  several 
quarters,  notably  from  Philadelphia.  The  subject  is  regarded  sufficiently  important 
by  the  inhabitants  of  that  city  to  warrant  the  issue  of  printed  forms,  which,  with 
long  lists  of  subscribers,  have  been  submitted  to  the  consideration  of  your  commit- 
tee. The  paucity  of  replies  to  many  of  our  questions  renders  it  impossible  to  report 
upon  them  decisively.  Fortunately,  however,  others  are  very  fully  answered. 

Returns  to  the  first  question  give  some  data  of  interest  in  relation  to  the  time 
of  the  sparrow's  first  introduction  into  this  country.  The  earliest  date  of  im- 
portation known  to  us  is  1858,  when  Mr.  Thomas  A.  Deblois  liberated  a  few  individ- 
uals at  Portland,  Me.  These  disappeared  shortly  afterward,  and  were  not  successfully 
replaced  until  1875.  In  1858  sparrows  were  liberated  at  Peacedale,  R.  I.,  by  Mr. 
Joseph  Peace  Hazard.  They  were  first  introduced  into  Central  Park,  New  York 
city,  according  to  Mr.  Conklin,  the  Superintendent  of  the  Menagerie,  in  the  year 
1864.  In  1860  Mr.  Eugene  Shiefflin  turned  loose  twelve  birds  in  Madison  Square, 
New  York  city.  In  1868  the  species  was  first  introduced  into  Boston  Common.  In 
1869  a  number  were  given  the  liberty  of  the  parks  of  Philadelphia.  Somewhat  later 
a  successful  attempt  was  made  to  establish  a  colony  near  Great  Salt  Lake,  Utah,  and 
about  the  same  time  the  birds  became  resident  at  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

In  a  period  of  about  ten  years,  the  sparrows  reached  nearly  all  the  large  towns 


ENGLISH  SPARROW.  65 


and  cities  of  New  England  and  the  Middle  States,  and  many  of  those  of  the  Western 
States,  without  artificial  assistance.  It  also  made  its  appearance  in  suburban  towns, 
and  even  country  villages.  From  the  Southern  States,  and  the  Western  States  be- 
yond the  Mississippi  river,  we  have  received  but  few  returns,  and  most  of  these  state 
that  the  sparrow  has  not  been  observed.  In  Canada  it  has  become  generally  dis- 
tributed over  the  southern  sections  of  Quebec  and  Ontario,  (it  is  abundant  in  the 
city  of  Quebec,)  and  in  1884  several  flocks  invaded  New  Brunswick. 

Few  observers  have  definitely  determined  the  number  of  broods  hatched  yearly  by 
this  bird,  and  the  number  of  young  to  the  brood.  We  have,  however,  returns  from 
several  ornithologists.  The  maximum  given  by  Mr.  H.  B.  Bailey,  of  Orange,  New 
Jersey—  six  broods  in  one  season,  with  from  four  to  five  young  in  a  brood — proba- 
bly indicates  the  extent  of  the  bird's  fertility  in  this  climate.  The  usual  number  of 
broods  in  the  latitude  of  New  York  and  southward  appears  to  be  four.  In  more 
northern  districts,  three  broods  yearly  would  probably  be  near  the  average. 

There  is  an  overwhelming  mass  of  testimony  to  the  effect  that  the  sparrow  molests 
and  drives  away  certain  of  our  most  valued  species  of  native  birds.  .Many  state- 
ments have  been  received,  giving  accounts  of  conflicts  provoked  by  the  sparrow,  in 
which  it  was  cruelly  victorious.  It  is  affirmed  that  from  some  localities  native 
species  have  been  completely  banished  by  the  attacks  or  by  the  mere  presence  of  the 
foreigner.  We  have  also  evidence  of  an  opposite  character,  declaring  the  sparrow's 
peaceable  disposition,  and  its  association  upon  amicable  terms  with  other  species  of 
birds. 

Most  of  our  correspondents  state  that  they  have  never  known  the  sparrow  to 
commit  depredations  upon  crops,  but  well-authenticated  instances  are  furnished 
showing  its  ability  and  disposition  to  accomplish  great  destruction  to  grain.  Mr. 
Stewart,  of  Hackensack,  New  Jersey,  relates  the  destruction  of  a  wide  margin  of 
wheat  in  the  field.  Hon.  G.  A.  Bicknell,  of  New  Albany,  Indiana,  says:  "When  the 
grain  ripens,  the  sparrows  leave  the  city  and  attack  the  wheat  fields  in  the  suburbs. 
I  have  seen  hundreds  of  them  at  once  in  my  fields,  and  they  got  about  half  the  crop.'' 
Mr.  T.  G.  Gentry,  in  his  exhaustive  work  on  the  sparrow,  gives  similar  instances. 
That  the  bird  feeds  upon  fruits,  is  amply  attested. 

Our  thirteenth  question  calls  for  information  as  to  the  sparrow's  preference  for 
food.  Is  it  an  insect-eater  or  a  seed-eater?  Every  reply  to  this  question,  which  is 
based  upon  dissection,  agrees  in  attributing  to  the  bird  a  diet  almost  wholly  vegeta- 
ble. The  statement  of  some  observers,  that  it  devours  canker  worms  and  a  variety 
of  insects,  is  unaccompanied  by  reports  of  examinations  of  the  stomach. 

The  question  as  to  the  food  of  nestling  sparrows  elicited  pretty  uniform  testimony, 
animal  matter  in  some  form  being  said  to  constitute  the  bulk.  Dissections  by  a  com- 
petent person,  however,  show  "barely  a  trace  of  insect  or  animal  food,  but  in  lieu, 
fine  gravel  and  vegetable  fiber." 

Responses  to  questions  seventeen  to  twenty-one,  inclusive,  are  too  meager  to  be 
of  value. 

It  is  claimed  by  several  of  our  correspondents  that  the  measuring  worm,  so  abun- 
dant at  the  time  of  the  sparrow's  introduction  into  this  country,  was  well-nigh  ex- 
terminated by  the  bird,  so  that  for  a  considerable  period  it  was  unobserved.  Since 
it  is  a  well-known  fact  that  the  worm  occurs  in  very  variable  numbers  in  different 
seasons,  credit  for  its  comparative  extermination  in  this  case  can  hardly  be  given 
to  the  sparrow  upon  the  doubtful  evidence  before  us. 

The  experiment  has  recently  been  tried  in  Philadelphia  and  elsewhere  of  substi- 
tuting sparrows  for  pigeons  in  trap-shooting,  but,  of  course,  without  seriously  dimin- 
ishing their  numbers.  In  other  localities  the  birds  have  been  poisoned  or  otherwise 
gotten  rid  of  to  some  extent  by  indignant  citizens  in  defiance  of  laws. 


66  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


The  balance  of  public  opinion  is  strongly  adverse  to  the  sparrows.  Our  returns, 
however,  show  protective  laws  (usually  the  same  statute  which  provides  for  the  secur- 
ity of  other  small  birds)  in  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Vermont,  Rhode  Island,  New 
York,  New  Jersey,  Ohio,  Michigan,  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  Canada.  The 
Massachusetts  law  has  lately  been  repealed,  and  specially  exempts  the  English  spar- 
row from  protection. 

So  much  for  the  evidence.  We  have  learned  the  capacity  and  disposition  of  this 
bird  to  injure  grain  and  fruits,  and  that  when  gathered  in  large  numbers  it  threatens 
very  seriously  the  interests  of  the  farmer  and  horticulturist.  Although  testimony  of 
a  certain  kind  indicates  that  its  young  are  fed  with  insects,  actual  dissection  shows 
that  vegetable  substances  are  mainly  employed.  The  adult  birds  feed  almost  exclu- 
sively upon  seeds  and  grains.  They  drive  away  from  their  accustomed  haunts,  either 
directly  or  indirectly,  many  of  our  native  insectivorous  species.  It  may  be  added 
that  they  have  proved  in  recent  years  so  destructive  of  crops  in  other  countries,  as 
to  render  it  necessary  to  enact  laws  looking  to  their  extermination.  In  view  of  these 
facts,  your  committee  believes  that  the  European  sparrow  (Passer  domesticus]  is  an 
ineligible  species  in  this  country,  and  that  it  was  a  mistaken  policy  to  introduce  the 
bird.  And  we  would  respectfully  recommend: 

1.  That  sheltering  or  otherwise  fostering  the  sparrow  by  the  public  be  discouraged, 
and  that  its  introduction  artificially  in  new  localities  and  its  sale  for  such  purposes 
be  forbidden  by  law. 

2.  That  all  existing  laws  protecting  the  sparrow  be  repealed,  and  that  bounties  be 
offered  for  its  destruction.  (Signed)  J.  B.  HOLDER,  Chairman. 

EUGENE  P.  BICKNELL. 
H.  A.  PUBDIE. 
NATHAN  CLIFFORD  BROWN. 
MONTAGUE  CHAMBERLAIN. 


PROTECT  THE  BIRDS.  67 


PROTECT    THE    BIRDS! 


As  this  work  will  fall  largely  into  the  hands  of  those  interested  in  birds 
and  bird-life,  I  think  much  good  may  be  done  toward  furthering  the  efforts 
of  the  "American  Ornithologists'  Union  Committee  on  the  Protection  of 
North  American  Birds,"  by  publishing  the  following,  clipped  from  "  Bulle- 
tin No.  1,"  as  explanatory  of  their  objects.  And  in  doing  so,  I  most  ear- 
nestly appeal  to  parents,  teachers,  ministers,  and  the  leaders  of  the  various 
societies,  especially  the  ladies'  societies,  to  awaken  to  the  fact  that  unless 
the  birds,  so  valuable  as  a  check  upon  insect-life,  and  whose  presence  and 
song  gladden  the  heart,  are  protected,  they  will  soon  become  exterminated, 
like  our  "  buffalo,"  that  so  short  a  time  ago  were  in  almost  countless  num- 
bers upon  our  prairies,  slaughtered,  as  our  native  birds  are  now,  for  the 
sport  and  their  skins.  Just  in  the  ratio  as  the  birds  decrease,  will  the  price 
set  upon  their  heads  for  their  plumage  increase,  unless  the  craze  for  feathers 
as  ornaments  can  be  checked.  It  is  therefore  time  for  action,  and  I  feel 
confident  our  appeal  will  not  be  in  vain. 


AMERICAN    ORNITHOLOGISTS'    UNION    COMMITTEE    ON 
BIRD   PROTECTION. 


The  American  Ornithologists'  Union  Committee  was  recently  organized  in  New 
York  city,  with  the  following  membership:  Mr.  George  B.  Sennett,  chairman;  Mr. 
Eugene  P.  Bicknell,  secretary;  Mr.  Willian  Dutcher,  treasurer;  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen,  Dr. 
J.  B.  Holder,  Dr.  George  Bird  Grinnell,  and  Mr.  L.  S.  Foster,  all  of  New  York  city; 
Mr.  William  Brewster,  Cambridge,  Mass.;  Mr.  Montague  Chamberlain,  St.  John,  N.  B.; 
Col.  N.  S.  Goss,  Topeka,  Kan. 

The  committee  is  desirous  of  collecting  facts  and  statistics  bearing  upon  the  sub- 
ject of  the  destruction  of  our  birds,  and  will  welcome  information  from  any  source. 

It  also  extends  the  promise  of  its  hearty  cooperation  to  all  persons  or  societies 
who  may  be  interested  in  the  protection  of  birds. 

The  headquarters  of  the  committee  are  at  the  American  Museum  of  Natural  His- 
tory, Central  Park,  New  York  city,  where  the  officers  or  any  of  the  members  may  be 
addressed. 


THE  AUDUBON  SOCIETY. 


In  order  to  give  an  opportunity  for  definite  and  systematic  effort  by  all  those  who 
believe  that  our  birds  ought  to  be  protected,  the  Forest  and  Stream  has  recently 
founded  the  Audubon  Society.  Membership  in  this  society  is  to  be  free  to  every  one 


68  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


who  is  willing  to  assist  in  forwarding  any  one  of  the  three  objects  for  which  it  is 
established.  These  objects  are  to  prevent  so  far  as  possible  (1)  the  killing  of  any 
wild  bird  not  used  for  food;  (2)  the  destruction  of  the  nests  or  eggs  of  any  wild 
bird;  and  (3)  the  wearing  of  feathers  as  ornaments.  The  work  to  be  done  by  the  Audu- 
bon  Society  is  auxiliary  to  that  which  is  being  done  by  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union 
Committee,  and  will  consist  largely  of  matters  of  detail,  to  which  this  committee 
could  not  attend.  The  management  of  the  society  for  the  present  will  be  in  the 
hands  of  a  member  of  this  committee.  Branches  of  this  association  will  be  estab- 
lished all  over  the  country.  The  work  of  the  Forest  and  Stream  is  only  preliminary. 
As  soon  as  the  society  shall  have  attained  a  respectable  membership,  and  be  on  a 
firm  footing,  it  will  be  turned  over  to  its  members  for  final  organization.  In  order 
that  this  may  take  place  as  speedily  as  possible,  it  is  hoped  that  all  interested  in 
bird  protection  will  send  in  for  membership  their  own  names,  as  well  as  those  of  any 
others  whom  they  think  likely  to  assist.  To  all  such,  free  circulars  containing  in- 
formation will  be  sent  for  distribution.  Names  should  be  sent  without  delay  to 
Forest  and  Stream,  40  Park  Row,  New  York,  N.  Y. 


BIRD  LAWS. 


Most  of  the  States  and  Territories  have  on  their  statute  books  laws  for  the  pro- 
tection of  game  and  fish,  regulating  the  season  of  hunting  and  fishing,  and  providing 
penalties  for  the  taking  of  game  or  fish  during  certain  portions  of  each  year,  or,  in 
particular  cases,  for  a  series  of  years.  These  laws  are  intended,  in  most  cases,  to 
give  protection  to  "  useful "  birds,  in  addition  to  the  game  birds,  and  their  nests  and 
eggs,  at  all  seasons.  In  general,  these  laws  are  crude  and  unsatisfactory  so  far  as 
they  relate  to  supposed  useful  birds,  and  also  in  relation  to  many  others  which  are 
either  protected  merely  during  certain  months,  or  not  at  all,  as  is  the  case  with 
many  of  the  marsh  and  shore-inhabiting  species,  such  as  the  herons,  terns,  gulls,  etc. 
Most  of  the  laws  exclude  from  protection  all  hawks  and  owls,  crows,  jays,  and  black- 
birds, and,  in  some  cases,  robins  and  other  kinds  of  song  birds,  woodpeckers,  etc. 
A  few  of  the  laws  make  provision  for  collecting  birds  and  their  eggs  for  scientific 
purposes,  often  in  a  lax  way,  but  occasionally,  as  in  Maine,  with  considerable  strin- 
gency; while  the  new  bird  law  of  New  Jersey  prohibits  the  destruction  of  song  birds, 
their  nests  or  eggs,  for  any  purpose  whatever.  Defective  as  the  present  laws 
now  generally  are,  they  would,  if  thoroughly  enforced,  prevent  the  disgraceful 
slaughter  now  so  general  and  untrammeled  by  any  legal  interference.  As  already  so 
many  times  reiterated  in  this  series  of  papers,  the  fault  is  not  so  much  lack  of  laws, 
or  inadequate  legislation,  as  the  absence  of  nearly  all  effort  to  interpose  any  obsta- 
cles, legal  or  otherwise,  in  the  way  of  free  slaughter.  So  apathetic  is  the  public  in 
all  that  relates  to  bird  protection,  that  prosecution  under  the  bird-protection  statutes 
requires,  on  the  part  of  the  prosecutor,  a  considerable  amount  of  moral  courage  to 
face  the  frown  of  public  opinion,  the  malignment  of  motive  and  the  enmities  such 
prosecution  is  sure  to  engender. 

None  of  the  bird  laws  are  above  improvement,  even  in  so  far  as  they  relate  to  the 
protection  of  game  birds;  but,  in  respect  to  the  non-game  birds,  nearly  all  require 
more  or  less  change.  If  possible,  it  would  be  well  to  have  uniform  laws  throughout 
all  the  States  and  Territories,  varying  only  in  respect  to  the  time  of  the  close  season, 
and  such  other  points  as  difference  of  season,  kind  of  game  to  be  especially  pro- 
tected, etc.,  according  to  local  conditions.  At  present  certain  birds  are  protected 


PROTECT  THE  BIBDS.  69 

in  some  States  which  are  outlawed  in  others,  or  are  treated  as  game  birds  in  some 
and  not  so  treated  in  others. 

Birds,  as  regards  legislation,  may  well  be  divided  into  two  classes  —  game  birds, 
and  birds  which  are  not  such;  and  the  laws  relating  to  each  class  should  be  separate 
and  distinct.  The  game  birds  should  be  left  to  the  care  of  sportsmen  and  game 
protective  associations,  since  self-interest  on  the  part  of  the  more  intelligent  sports- 
men will  dictate  more  or  less  wise  legislation  for  the  preservation  of  the  birds  on 
which  their  sport  depends.  But  in  respect  to  game  birds,  public  opinion  should  be 
so  far  enlightened  as  to  secure  the  enforcement  of  proper  legislative  enactments, 
which  is  notoriously  not  the  case  at  present.  All  other  birds  should  be  left  to  the 
care  of  bird-lovers  and  humanitarians,  who  should  see  that  proper  laws  for  their 
preservation  are  not  only  enacted,  but  duly  enforced.  As  already  shown  in  preced- 
ing pages  of  this  supplement,  those  who  know  best,  from  having  scientifically  in- 
vestigated the  subject,  are  convinced  that  none  of  our  native  birds  should  be  outlawed 
as  unqualifiedly,  or  even  to  any  serious  degree,  injurious.  A  few  exceptions  might 
be  made,  were  it  practicable,  but  in  the  general  ignorance  of  legislators  and  of  the  pub- 
lic generally,  or  their  inability  to  make  proper  distinction  through  inability  to  rec- 
ognize by  proper  names  one  kind  of  hawk,  for  instance,  from  another,  the  safe  way 
is  to  attempt  no  such  discrimination  in  legislation.  The  slight  harm  resulting  from 
protecting  half  a  dozen  species  more  or  less  harmful  would  be  more  than  offset  by 
the  indiscriminate  destruction  which  would  necessarily  result  from  such  a  loophole. 

The  reason  for  keeping  legislation  respecting  game  birds  distinct  from  that  re- 
lating to  the  other  species  is  mainly  to  avoid  conflict  of  interests  respecting  such 
legislation,  which  is  more  or  less  sure  to  follow  in  any  attempt  at  combined  legisla- 
tion respecting  all  birds  in  one  act.  Sportsmen's  clubs  and  game  protective  asso- 
ciations in  attempting  to  provide  proper  game  laws  often  find  strong  opponents  in 
the  game-dealers  and  market-gunners,  who  often  succeed  in  defeating  judicious 
legislation.  If  all  birds  are  treated  under  the  same  act,  attempts  to  improve  the 
portions  of  such  acts  as  relate  to  useful  birds  are  often  prevented  through  opposi- 
tion to  certain  clauses  of  the  game  sections  obnoxious  to  pot-hunters  and  game- 
dealers,  as  has  recently  been  the  case  with  attempted  judicious  amendments  to  the 
bird  laws  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts. 

There  should  also  be  some  provision  for  collecting  birds,  their  nests  and  eggs,  for 
scientific  purposes,  in  behalf  of  our  natural  history  museums,  and  of  scientific  prog- 
ress in  ornithology.  As  already  shown  in  these  articles,  the  birds  destroyed  in  the 
interest  of  science,  notwithstanding  the  outcry  to  the  contrary  from  certain  sources, 
are  relatively  few  in  comparison  to  the  number  destroyed  for  millinery  and  other 
mercenary  purposes  —  so  small  as  not  to  materially  affect  the  decrease  of  any  species. 
But  such  license,  unless  rigidly  guarded,  is  liable  to  abuse,  and  should  be  hedged 
about  with  every  practicable  safeguard.  The  number  of  such  licenses  issued  in  any 
State  should  be  very  small;  they  should  be  granted  with  strictest  regard  to  the  fitness 
of  the  recipient  to  be  allowed  such  a  favor;  and  their  abuse  or  misuse  made  a  mis- 
demeanor, subject  to  severe  penalties.  Obviously,  the  power  to  grant  them  should, 
so  far  as  possible,  be  vested  in  persons  having  some  knowledge  of  ornithology,  or 
who  are  able  to  recognize  the  difference  between  collecting  birds  for  scientific  pur- 
poses and  as  "  curiosities,"  or  for  traffic  other  than  strictly  in  the  interest  of  science. 
It  should  be  further  understood  that  these  licenses  grant  no  immunity  from  the 
ordinary  laws  of  trespass,  or  laws  against  the  use  of  firearms  at  improper  times  or 
places,  or  in  violation  of  any  of  the  provisions  of  game  protective  acts.  The  system 
of  issuing  such  licenses  has  needlessly  been  brought  into  disrepute  through  the  gross 
ignorance  and  apathy  of  the  general  public  as  to  their  real  purpose  and  limitations. 
For  most  of  the  abuses  of  the  system  there  is  already  abundant  remedy.  Any  per- 


70  BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


son  holding  such  a  license,  who  uses  it  as  a  shield  against  prosecution  for  illegal  or 
indiscriminate  slaughter  of  birds  for  any  and  all  purposes,  is  successful  only  to  such 
extent  as  the  ignorance  or  apathy  of  the  community  among  which  his  misdeeds  are 
committed  happen  to  give  him  immunity.  The  fault  is  not  in  reality  chargeable  to 
the  law,  or  the  system  permitting  the  granting  of  certificates  for  scientific  collecting. 
In  this  matter,  as  in  all  else  relating  to  bird  destruction,  all  that  is  necessary  to  pre- 
vent abuses  is  a  proper  comprehension  of  the  laws  relating  to  the  subject,  and  a 
public  sentiment  not  only  favorable  to  their  enforcement,  but  watchful  against  any 
infringement  of  their  provisions. 

With  a  desire  to  bring  about  more  intelligent,  uniform  and  desirable  legislation 
for  the  protection  everywhere,  and  at  all  times,  of  all  birds  not  properly  to  be  re- 
garded as  game  birds,  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union  Committee  on  bird  pro- 
tection have  had  under  careful  consideration  a  draught  of  a  bird  law,  drawn  with 
special  reference  to  its  fitness  for  general  adoption  throughout  the  United  States 
and  the  British  Provinces,  and  with  regard  to  just  what  birds  should  be  so  protected. 
It  is  intended  as  a  guide  or  model,  which  may  serve  as  a  basis  for  legislation.  From 
its  pertinence  in  the  present  connection,  it  is  given  below  in  full.  Possibly  some 
additional  provisions  may  still  be  desirable,  relating  especially  to  the  designation  of 
certain  officers  to  secure  its  strict  observance,  the  amount  of  the  fine,  and  whether 
or  not  a  part  of  the  fine  should  go  to  the  complainant;  features,  however,  that  doubt- 
less may  be  safely  left  to  legislative  discretion. 

AN  ACT  FOR  THE  PROTECTION  OF  BIRDS  AND  THEIR  NESTS  AND  EGGS. 

SECTION  1.  Any  person  who  shall,  within  the  State  of ,  kill  any  wild  bird  other  than  a  game 

bird,  or  purchase,  offer,  or  expose  for  sale  any  such  wild  bird,  after  it  has  been  killed,  shall  for  each 
offense  be  subject  to  a  fine  of  five  dollars,  or  imprisonment  for  ten  days,  or  both,  at  the  discretion  of 
the  court.  For  the  purposes  of  this  act  the  following  only  shall  be  considered  game  birds:  The  Ana- 
tidse,  commonly  known  as  swans,  geese,  brant,  and  river  and  sea  ducks;  the  Rallidse,  commonly  known 
as  rails,  coots,  mud-hens,  and  gallinules  ;  the  Liruicolse,  commonly  known  as  shore-birds,  plovers,  surf- 
birds,  snipe,  woodcock,  sandpipers,  tatlers,  and  curlews ;  the  Gallinse,  commonly  known  as  wild  turkeys, 
grouse,  prairie  chickens,  pheasants,  partridges,  and  quails. 

SEC.  2.  Any  person  who  shall,  within  the  State  of ,  take  or  needlessly  destroy  the  nest  or  the 

eggs  of  any  wild  bird,  shall  be  subject  for  each  offense  to  a  fine  of  five  dollars,  or  imprisonment  for  ten 
days,  or  both,  at  the  discretion  of  the  court. 

SEC.  3.  Sections  1  and  2  of  this  act  shall  not  apply  to  any  person  holding  a  certificate  giving  the 
right  to  take  birds,  and  their  nests  and  eggs,  for  scientific  purposes,  as  provided  for  in  section  4  of 
this  act. 

SEC.  4.  Certificates  may  be  granted  by  [here  follow  the  names  of  the  persons,  if  any,  duly  author- 
ized by  this  act  to  grant  such  certificates],  or  by  any  incorporated  society  of  natural  history  in  the 
State,  through  such  persons  or  officers  as  said  society  may  designate,  to  any  properly  accredited  per- 
son of  the  age  of  eighteen  years  or  upward,  permitting  the  holder  thereof  to  collect  birds,  their  nests 
or  eggs,  for  strictly  scientific  purposes  only.  In  order  to  obtain  such  certificate,  the  applicant  for  the 
same  must  present  to  the  person  or  persons  having  the  power  to  grant  said  certificate,  written  testimo- 
nials from  two  well-known  scientific  men,  certifying  to  the  good  character  and  fitness  of  said  applicant 
to  be  intrusted  with  such  privilege ;  must  pay  to  said  persons  and  officers  one  dollar  to  defray  the  nec- 
essary expenses  attending  the  granting  of  such  certificates;  and  must  file  with  said  persons  or  officers 
a  properly  executed  bond,  in  the  sum  of  two  hundred  dollars,  signed  by  two  responsible  citizens  of  the 
State  as  sureties.  This  bond  shall  be  forfeited  to  the  State,  and  the  certificate  become  void,  upon  proof 
that  the  holder  of  such  a  certificate  has  killed  any  bird,  or  taken  the  nest  or  eggs  of  any  bird,  for  other 
than  the  purposes  named  in  sections  3  and  4  of  this  act,  and  shall  be  further  subject  for  each  such 
offense  to  the  penalties  provided  therefor  in  sections  1  and  2  of  this  act. 

SEC.  5.  The  certificates  authorized  by  this  act  shall  be  in  force  for  one  year  only  from  the  date  of 
their  issue,  and  shall  not  be  transferable. 

SEC.  6.  The  English  or  European  house  sparrow  (Passer  domesticus)  is  not  included  among  the  birds 
protected  by  this  act. 

SEC.  7.  All  acts  or  parts  of  acts  heretofore  passed,  inconsistent  with  or  contrary  to  the  provisions 
of  this  act,  are  hereby  repealed. 

SEC.  8.  This  act  shall  take  effect  upon  its  passage. 


PROTECT  THE  BIRDS.  71 


AN  APPEAL  TO  THE  WOMEN  OF  THE  COUNTRY  ON 
BEHALF  OF  THE  BIRDS. 


The  relation  of  the  women  of  the  country  to  the  present  lamentable  destruction 
of  bird- life  has  been  several  times  alluded  to  in  the  foregoing  pages;  but  the  matter 
is  so  important,  it  demands  more  formal  notice  in  the  present  connection.  The 
destruction  of  millions  of  birds  annually  results  from  the  present  fashion  of  wear- 
ing birds  on  hats  and  bonnets.  The  women  who  wear  them,  and  give  countenance 
to  the  fashion,  have  doubtless  done  so  thoughtlessly,  as  regards  the  serious  destruc- 
tion of  bird-life  thereby  entailed,  and  without  any  appreciation  of  its  extent  or  its 
results,  considered  from  a  practical  standpoint.  Until  recently,  very  rarely  has  at- 
tention been  called  to  the  matter,  or  the  facts  in  the  case  been  adequately  set  forth. 
They  have  therefore  sinned  for  the  most  part  unwittingly,  and  are  thus  not  seriously 
chargeable  with  blame.  But  the  case  is  now  different,  and  ignorance  can  no  longer 
be  urged  in  palliation  of  a  barbarous  fashion.  Obviously  it  is  only  necessary  to  call 
the  attention  of  intelligent  women  to  the  subject,  as  now  presented,  to  enlist  their 
sympathies  and  their  efforts  in  suppression  of  the  milliner's  traffic  in  bird  skins. 
As  a  recent  writer  (Mr.  E.  P.  Bicknell,  Secretary  of  the  American  Ornithologists' 
Union  Committee  on  Bird  Protection)  in  the  Evening  Post  of  this  city,  has  not  only 
forcibly  appealed  to  the  women  in  behalf  of  the  birds,  but  suggested  to  them  certain 
desirable  lines  of  action,  this  brief  reference  to  the  subject  may  well  be  concluded 
with  a  few  pertinent  extracts  from  the  article  in  question. 

"So  long  as  demand  continues,  the  supply  will  come.  Law  of  itself  can  be  of  little,  perhaps  of  no 
ultimate,  avail.  It  may  give  check;  but  this  tide  of  destruction  it  is  powerless  to  stay.  The  demand 
will  be  met;  the  offenders  will  find  it  worth  while  to  dare  the  law.  One  thing  only  will  stop  this 
cruelty  —  the  disapprobation  of  fashion.  It  is  our  women  who  hold  this  great  power.  Let  our  women 
say  the  word,  and  hundreds  of  thousands  of  bird-lives  every  year  will  be  preserved.  And  until  woman 
does  use  her  influence,  it  is  vain  to  hope  that  this  nameless  sacrifice  will  cease  until  it  has  worked  out 
its  own  end,  and  the  birds  are  gone.  .  .  .  It  is  earnestly  hoped  that  the  ladies  of  this  city  can  be  led 
to  see  this  matter  in  its  true  light,  and  to  take  some  pronounced  stand  in  behalf  of  the  birds,  and  against 
the  prevailing  fashions. 

"  It  is  known  that  even  now  birds  are  not  worn  by  some,  on  grounds  of  humanity.  Yet  little  is  to  be 
expected  from  individuals  challenging  the  fashion  —  concert  of  action  is  needed.  The  sentiment  of 
humanity  once  widely  aroused,  the  birds  are  safe.  Surely  those  who  unthinkingly  have  been  the  sus- 
taining cause  of  a  great  cruelty  will  not  refuse  their  influence  in  abating  it,  now  that  they  are  awak- 
ened to  the  truth.  Already  word  comes  from  London  that  women  are  taking  up  the  work  there.  Can 
we  do  less?  It  needs  only  united  action,  sustained  by  resolution  and  sincerity  of  purpose,  to  crush  a 
painful  wrong  —  truly  a  barbarism  —  and  to  achieve  a  humane  work  so  far-reaching  in  its  effects  as  to 
outsweep  the  span  of  our  own  generation,  and  promise  a  blessing  to  those  who  will  come  after." 

There  are  already  in  England,  it  may  be  added,  two  societies  organized  expressly 
in  aid  of  the  preservation  of  birds  "in  Great  Britain  and  all  other  parts  of  the  world." 
The  Selborne  society,  originated  by  George  Arthur  Musgrave,  of  London,  appeals  to 
Englishwomen  "to  forswear  the  present  fashion  of  wearing  foreign  or  English  bird 
skins.  Our  countrywomen  are  asked  to  inaugurate  a  return  to  a  mode  which,  though 
half  forgotten  now,  is  assuredly  more  becoming  to  the  wearer  than  trophies  of  robins 
and  sandpipers."  Lady  Mount  Temple  is  not  only  a  member  of  the  plumage  section 
of  the  Selborne  society,  but  has  written  a  vigorous  protest  against  the  fashion  of 
wearing  dead  birds  on  dresses,  bonnets,  and  hats.  The  section  is  under  the  patron- 
age of  her  Royal  Highness  the  Princess  Christian  of  Schleswig-Holstein,  and  num- 
bers among  its  membership  twenty  ladies  of  title,  and  also  Lord  Tennyson,  Robert 
Browning,  Sir  Frederick  Leighton,  and  Rev.  F.  O.  Morris. 


INDEX. 


Anhinga 

Avocet,  American.. 


14 


Birds,  Protect  the 

Bittern- 
American 9 

Least 10  j 

Blackbird— 

Yellow-headed 37  j 

Bed-winged 37 

Rusty 39  | 

Brewer's 39  j 

Bluebird 61  j 

Mountain 61  j 

Bob-white 19  ! 

Bobolink 37 

Brant 8 

Bunting — 

Indigo 46 

Lazula 46 

Painted 46 

Lark 46 

Cardinal 45  i 

Catbird 56 

Chat- 

Yellow-breasted 54 

Long-tailed 55 

Chickadee 59 

Long-tailed 59 

Cormorant— 

Double-crested 4 

Mexican 4 

Coot,  American 14 

Cowbird 37 

Crane- 
Whooping 11  i 

Sandhill 11 

Crow,  American 36 

Crossbill- 
American 40 

Mexican 40 

White-winged 40 

Creeper,  Brown 58 

Curlew— 

Long-billed 17 

Hudsonian 17 

Eskimo IS 

Cuckoo— 

Yellow-billed 28 

Black-billed ...  29 


Dickcissel 4fi 

Dowitcher,  Long-billed 15 

Dove,  Mourning 21 

Duck- 
Mallard 5 

Black 5 

Florida 6 

Gadwell 6 

Baldpate 6 

Shoveller 6 

Pintail 7 

Wood 7 

Redhead 7 

Canvas-back 7 

American  Scaup 7 

Lesser  Scaup 7 

Ring-necked 7 

American  Golden-eye 7 

Buffle-head 7 

Ruddy 8 

Eagle- 
Golden 24 

Bald 24 

Egret,  American 10 

Explanations v 

Falcon,  Prairie 25 

Finch,  Purple 40 

Flicker 30 

Red-shafted 31 

"Hybrid" 31 

Flycatcher— 

Scissor-tailed 33 

Crested 33 

Olive-sided 34 

Acadian 34 

Traill's 35 

Least 35 

Gallinule,  Florida 13 

Gnatcatcher,  Blue-gray 60 

Goose- 
Blue 8 

Lesser  Snow 8 

American  White-fronted 8 

Canada 8 

Hutchins' 8 

Godwit— 

Marbled 16 

Hudsonian 16 

Goshawk,  American 23 


74 


BIBDS  OF  KAN 8 AS. 


Goldfinch,  American 40 

Grebe- 
Horned 1 

American  Eared 1 

Pied-billed 1 

Grouse- 
Ruffed 19 

Prairie  Sharp-tailed 20 

Sage 20 

Grackle,  Bronzed 39 

Grosbeak- 
Evening 39 

Pine 39 

Cardinal 45 

Eose-breasted 45 

Black-headed 45 

Blue 45 

Gull- 
American  Herring 2 

California 2 

Ring-billed 2 

Franklin 2 

Bonaparte's 2 

Sabin's 2 

Gyrfalcon 25 

Hawk- 
Marsh 22 

Sharp-shinned 23 

Cooper's 23 

Red-tailed 23 

Krider's 23 

Western  Red-tailed 23 

Harlan's 23 

Red-shouldered 23 

Swainson's 24 

Broad-winged 24 

American  Rough-legged 24 

Duck 25 

Pigeon 25 

American  Sparrow 25 

Heron- 
Great  Blue 10 

Snowy 10 

Little  Blue 10 

Green 10 

Black-crowned  Night 11 

Yellow-crowned  Night 11 

Hen- 
Prairie 19 

Lesser  Prairie 20 

Hummingbird,  Ruby-throated 32 


Ibis- 
White- faced  Glossy. 
Wood.... 


Jay- 
Blue 36 

Pifion 37 

Junco — 

White-winged 43 

Slate-colored 43 

Oregon 43 


Killdeer 18 

Kite— 

.  Swallow-tailed 22 

Mississippi 22 

Kingfisher,  Belted 29 

Kingbird 33 

Arkansas 33 

Kinglet— 

Golden-crowned 59 

Ruby-crowned 59 

Knot 15 

Lark- 
Horned 35 

Prairie  Horned 35 

Desert  Horned.... ...  35 

Longspur — 

Lapland 41 

Smith's 41 

Chestnut-collared 41 

McCown's 41 

Loon 2 

Man-o'-war  Bird 4 

Magpie,  American 35 

Martin,  Purple 47 

Merganser — 

American 5 

Red-breasted 5 

Hooded 5 

Merlin,  Richardson's 25 

Meadowlark 38 

Western 38 

Mockingbird 56 

Nighthawk 31 

Western 32 

Nuthatch— 

White-breasted 58 

Red-breasted 59 

Oriole- 
Orchard 38 

Baltimore.... 38 

Bullock's 38 

Osprey,  American 26 

|  Oven-bird 53 

I  Owl- 
American  Barn 26 

American  Long-eared 26 

Short-eared 26 

Barred < 27 

Saw-whet 27 

Screech 27 

Great  Horned 27 

Western  Horned 27 

Snowy 27 

Burrowing 27 

i  Paroquet,  Carolina 28 

Pelican,  American  White 4 

Pewee— 

Wood 34 

Western  Wood 34 


INDEX. 


75 


Phalarope— 

Northern 14 

Wilson's 14 

Phffibe 34 

Say's 34 

Pigeon,  Passenger 21 

Pipit- 
American 55 

Sprague's 56 

Plover— 

Black-bellied 18 

American  Golden 18 

Semipalmated 18 

Mountain 18 

Poor-will 31 

Rail— 

King 12 

Virginia 12 

Yellow 12 

Black 13 

Raven — 

American 36 

White-necked 36 

Redpoll 40 

Redstart,  American 55 

Rough-leg,  Ferruginous 24 

Road-runner 28 

Robin- 
American 61 

Western 61 

Sandpiper- 
Stilt 15 

Pectoral 16 

White-rumped 16 

Baird's 16 

Least 16 

Red-backed 16 

Semipalmated 16 

Solitary 17 

Bartramian 17 

Buff-breasted 17 

Spotted 17 

Sanderling 16 

Sapsucker— 

Yellow-bellied 30 

Red-naped 30 

Shrike- 
Northern 49 

Loggerhead 49 

White-rumped 49 

Siskin,  Pine 40 

Snipe,  Wilson's 15 

Snowflake 40 

Sora 12 

Stilt,  Black-necked 15 

Solitaire,  Townsend's 60 

Sparrow — 

Vesper 41 

Savanna 41 

Western  Savanna 41 

Grasshopper 42 

Henslow's 42 


Sparrow — 

Leconte's 42 

Nelson's 42 

Lark 42 

Harris's 42 

White-crowned 42 

Intermediate 42 

White-throated 43 

Tree 43 

Chipping 43 

Clay-colored 43 

Field 43 

Cassin's 43 

Song 44 

Lincoln's 44 

Swamp 44 

Fox 44 

Slate-colored 44 

English 63 

Swan  — 

Whistling 8 

Trumpeter  8 

Swift,  Chimney 32 

Swallow- 
Cliff 47 

Barn 47 

Tree 48 

Bank 48 

Rough-winged 48 

Tanager  — 

Scarlet 46 

Summer 47 

Tern  — 

Forster's 3 

Common 3 

Least 3 

Black 3 

Teal  — 

Green-winged 6 

Blue-winged 6 

Cinnamon 6 

Thrush  — 

Water 54 

Louisiana  Water 54 

Wood 60 

Wilson's 60 

Gray-cheeked 60 

Olive-backed t 61 

Hermit 61 

Thrasher,  Brown 56 

Titmouse,  Tufted 59 

Towhee 44 

Arctic 45 

Turkey,  Wild 20 

Vireo  — 

Red-eyed 49 

Warbling 49 

Yellow-throated 50 

Blue-headed 50 

Black-capped 50 

White-eyed 50 

Bell's ...  50 


76 


BIRDS  OF  KANSAS. 


Vulture  — 

Turkey 21 

Black 21 

Waxwing  — 

Bohemian 48 

Cedar 48 

Warbler  — 

Black-and-white 51 

Prothonotary 51 

Worni-eating 51 

Blue-winged 51 

Nashville 52 

Orange-crowned 52 

Tennessee 52 

Parula  52 

Yellow 52 

Myrtle 52 

Audubon's 52 

Magnolia 52 

Cerulean 52 

Chestnut-sided 53 

Black-poll 53 

Blackburnian 53 

Sycamore   53 

Black-throated  Green 53 

Pine 53 

Palm 53 

Prairie ...  53 


j  Warbler- 
Kentucky 54 

Mourning 54 

Hooded 55 

Wilson's 55 

Canadian 55- 

Whip-poor-will 31 

Willet 17 

Woodcock,  American 15 

Woodpecker  —  . 

Hairy 29 

Downy 29 

Pileated , 30 

Red-headed 30 

Lewis's 30 

Red-bellied 30 

Wren  — 

Rock 56 

Carolina 57 

Bewick's 57 

Baird's 57 

Parkmau's 57 

Winter .- 58 

Short-billed  Marsh 58 

Long-billed  Marsh 58 

Yellow-legs 16 

Greater 16 

Yellow-throat,  Western 54 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 


RENEWED  BOOKS  ARE  SUBJECT  TO  IMMEDIATE 
RECALL 


LIBRARY,  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  DAVIS 

BookSlip-50m-8,'69(N831s8)458-A-31/5 


N9  664131 


Goss,    N.S. 

A  revised  catalogue 
of  the  birds  of 
Kansas. 


QL684 
K2 
G5 
1886 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
DAVIS 


